Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot in his calf.
Hurts was listed as a full participant in Friday’s practice before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a calf injury. He had no injury designation for Sunday’s game in London.
The Eagles released a statement detailing the process that led to the discovery of the blood clot, per ESPN.
“On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf,” the team said. “He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.
“Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.”
The Eagles said Hurts “played without limitation” against the Jaguars before receiving treatment Monday and Tuesday then practicing in full Wednesday.
“On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority,” the Eagles said.
The Eagles have remained in communication with the NFL office throughout the process, the team said.
Asked about the injury Wednesday, Hurts indicated he got “nicked” against the Rams while hinting that the lead-up to the Jaguars game was not ordinary.
“It was a very unique experience, to say the least. I don’t want to get into the details of kind of leading up to the game and whatnot, but got nicked up in the Rams game,” he said.
Hurts did not take the field until right before the opening kickoff against Jacksonville and rode the stationary bike between series. He indicated both actions were related to the calf. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in the 19-17 loss.
Hurts, 28, has 933 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions this season.
Tanner McKee is in line to start in place of Hurts against the Panthers.
The team found out that Hurts would be sidelined as it took the field for morning walk-through Thursday. McKee got the news from Hurts a few minutes before at his locker, with Hurts telling McKee, “It looks like you’re going to be the guy this week.” Hurts then expressed confidence in McKee and told him he had his back.
The Hurts injury is the latest bad news in a season full of it. Left tackle Jordan Mailata called last week the “week from hell” after Sunday’s gut-punch loss to the Jaguars, given that Lane Johnson retired and Cam Jurgens was traded days earlier. He joked Thursday that “I think I was a little early. I may have jumped the gun on that one” given the Hurts news that has since followed.
The locker room was surprisingly upbeat, though, as the players seemed to embrace the fact that this season is shaping up to be anything but normal.
“Wave after wave and we’re still standing,” Mailata said. “Still pushing forward. We have to. It’s the league. S— is going to happen. It’s just how you respond.”
Carolina linebacker Haeland Phillips , who played against McKee in practice last season when McKee was a scout team quarterback with the Eagles, said the quarterback change won’t impact the Panthers’ preparation.
“We prepare the same way,” Phillips said. “It doesn’t really matter who they have, we’ve got to execute the way we need to. Obviously, it changes what they might do, which then changes a little of what we might do. But it’s not like it’s a different mentality. We’ve got to prepare for everything the same way.”
Culled from ESPN
