Jalen Hurts has superficial blood clot, ruled out for Sunday's Eagles-Panthers game

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a superficial blood clot in his leg and will miss Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, the team said Thursday. 

The injury first came to light on Oct. 8 when Hurts visited the training room after practice for treatment on his calf. Hurts said he had been cleated during the Rams game on Oct. 4, but he continued to participate fully in practice over the next few days.

Out of an abundance of caution after the flight to London on Saturday, Hurts had an ultrasound, which revealed the small blood clot, the team said in a statement. The medical staff and doctors in London cleared Hurts to play against the Jaguars and recommended a follow-up ultrasound after he returned to Philly. 

Hurts played without restriction in London, when the Eagles lost to the Jags in the final second of the game.

A follow-up ultrasound Wednesday revealed movement in the blood clot. He was ruled out for Sunday's game as the team determines next steps.

"His health and safety are our highest priority," the team said.

Tanner McKee is the Eagles' backup quarterback and is expected to start Sunday. McKee has thrown five touchdowns and one interception in six career games, two of them starts.

"I found out when we were walking out to walkthrough, and I was like, 'OK, I'm taking the 1 reps now. Let's move like I'm going to be the guy.' As a backup quarterback, that's the mindset you have to have," McKee said. "At any moment, you can be ready to play on Sunday. It could be the first play. It could be the last play. You have to be ready. It's kind of a luxury for me to be able to have a few days of getting ones in practice, getting those reps and just running the meetings or whatever it is, it's kind of a luxury for me as a backup to be able to have a week to prepare like that."

The news comes as the Eagles, who are 2-3 this season, are struggling with several injuries.

Like Wednesday's injury report, Thursday's was long, with several players not participating: Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Michael Carter, Jalyx Hunt, Will Shipley, AJ Epenesa and Dontayvion Wicks. Ten other players, including DeVonta Smith, Drew Kendell, Jonathan Greenard, Jakorian Bennett, Grant Calcaterra and Landon Dickerson, were limited participants Thursday.

Barkley and Smith are both dealing with hamstring injuries. Smith was limited Thursday after not practicing Wednesday.

Shipley, a running back, suffered a partial tear of his plantar fascia, which could sideline him for multiple weeks, during the loss to the Jaguars, ESPN reported. 

Additionally, longtime offensive tackle Lane Johnson retired last week, and the Eagles traded center Cam Jurgens to the Ravens, further destabilizing the offense.

Doctor says superficial blood clots usually not serious but carry risk

Dr. Eric Sztejman, a critical care doctor with Virtua Health who is not treating Hurts, said the superficial blood clot that the Eagles' QB has is usually not serious, but there are risks.

"A superficial blood clot can actually get smaller or bigger," Sztejman said, "or the clot can actually propagate, maybe move up and down the leg."

Sztejman said the long flights to and from London likely had an impact.

"With those two long flights with immobility, that causes more inflammation in the veins, as well as possible dehydration from a professional football game," Sztejman said.

Sztejman said a superficial blood clot should resolve on its own, but there's a risk it could turn into a more serious situation.

"If it becomes a deep venous thrombosis, which means it's a deep clot in one of the deeper veins of the legs, this could become dangerous because that can propagate into the lungs and that could cause a pulmonary embolism," Sztejman said.

There is no indication this is more serious. Hurts and the team have not said if there's any pain or swelling related to the blood clot.

"His health is more important": Fans react to Hurts news

Fans at Chickie's & Pete's in South Philadelphia said they will back the Birds no matter what, but they are bummed about the Hurts news. Some looked on the bright side, and others were glad to see the Eagles' quarterback put his health first.

"His health is more important. If he has to take a break from football, he's going to have to," one fan said.

"I like the way Jalen did his best, and for himself and his family is the most important thing. Stay out until the doctors certify that you're OK. Don't rush back for the Eagles. Care about yourself and your family," another fan said.  

"I love Hurts. I think he's great. I think that he's an awesome player and an awesome person. And I think whatever he needs to do, I think maybe it would help," another fan said.