Jalen Hurts Faces Season Ending Absence After Lung Clots

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after doctors diagnosed him with deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs. The diagnosis was announced by the Eagles and his agent, Nicole Lynn, on Monday, October 19, following further medical examinations.

According to ESPN and NFL Network, Hurts is expected to receive treatment with blood-thinning medication for at least three months. His condition developed after an initial blood clot was detected in his left calf before the Eagles' Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

The Eagles initially reported that an ultrasound had identified superficial vein thrombosis. Doctors determined that movement and physical activity were important and cleared Hurts to play against Jacksonville, according to the team's statement.

A subsequent ultrasound last Wednesday showed that the clot had moved. Hurts was ruled out of the Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers and placed on injured reserve before further testing confirmed multiple clots in his lungs.

The calf injury may have contributed to the condition. According to CNN, Hurts was stepped on by another player's cleat during the Eagles' October 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, a 24-20 loss. He subsequently reported the injury to team trainers before traveling to London.

Vascular surgeon Dr. Syed T. Zaidi of Orlando Health explained that an injury can trigger inflammation that increases the risk of clot formation.

"The injury can create this inflammatory process around it, and it puts you at risk for developing a blood clot," Zaidi said.

Hurts also traveled across the Atlantic after the initial diagnosis and returned to Philadelphia following the Jacksonville game. Long-distance travel is a recognized risk factor for blood clots because prolonged sitting can contribute to reduced blood flow.

Zaidi described another concern associated with prolonged travel and clot formation.

"You're sitting around, and maybe you're a little dehydrated, and your blood gets a little bit thicker," Zaidi said.

He also explained the potential consequences if a clot reaches the lungs.

"A big thing we worry about with these thromboses, or these blood clots, is the risk of having a pulmonary embolism, which is when the blood clot travels through your lungs, affects the blood flow to your lung," Zaidi said.

Pulmonary embolism occurs when a clot travels through the bloodstream and obstructs blood flow in the lungs. Bilateral pulmonary emboli, as diagnosed in Hurts, indicate clots affecting arteries in both lungs. Severe cases can cause dangerously low oxygen levels, heart complications or sudden cardiac arrest.

Pulmonary critical care expert Dr. Parth Rali told CNN that persistent calf pain can be an important warning sign, particularly when ordinary stretching and hydration do not improve the symptoms.

"If something just does not sound or feel normal, I say don't wait. Get an ultrasound, and we can make a diagnosis," Rali said.

Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis can include leg swelling, pain, cramping, warmth and changes in skin color. Pulmonary embolism may cause sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, coughing with blood-streaked mucus, dizziness or fainting.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, causes approximately 60,000 to 100,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Dr. Jordan K. Schaefer, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan who specializes in blood-clotting disorders, told ESPN that patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism generally receive anticoagulant treatment for at least three months before doctors reassess their condition.

Schaefer was not involved in Hurts' care and did not treat him. He also explained that superficial clots can sometimes extend into deeper veins, increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism.

The Eagles began the 2026 season with a 2-4 record, according to Yahoo Sports. Hurts' absence leaves the team without its starting quarterback for the remainder of the season, while his treatment and recovery will determine his readiness for the 2027 NFL season.