The Philadelphia Eagles' season was already in a tailspin following an improbable last-second loss to Jacksonville, and now, sitting at 2-3, they could be without their franchise quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Philly announced Thursday that Jalen Hurts would be sidelined for Sunday's Week 6 matchup due to a superficial blood clot in his calf, which was discovered the day before the Eagles' game in London last weekend.
So, when will Jalen Hurts return? Let's assess his situation and first look at the Panthers vs. Eagles odds ahead of their Week 6 matchup on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Panthers vs. Eagles odds
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Panthers
When will Jalen Hurts return?
Jalen Hurts' injury may stem from Philadelphia's Week 4 loss to the Rams, when he reportedly alerted the Eagles' medical staff that an opposing defender's cleat had caught him in the calf.
The three-time Pro Bowler initially practiced through the issue and didn't seek treatment until four days later, before an ultrasound in London revealed a superficial blood clot.
Although doctors cleared Hurts to face Jacksonville, a follow-up examination Wednesday revealed movement in the clot, prompting Philadelphia to rule him out for Week 6.
There is currently no timetable for Hurts' return, and he joins an already shorthanded Eagles offense, with Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith nursing hamstring injuries, while tight end Dallas Goedert and left guard Landon Dickerson have also missed time.
Clinical Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Physician at Temple University Dr. Ryan Schreiter expects a 45 day to 3 month recovery period for Jalen Hurts' superficial blood clot. https://t.co/M1G1gayovA
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) October 15, 2026
What is a blood clot?
A blood clot is a clump of blood that forms when platelets and proteins stick together. While clotting is a normal process that helps stop bleeding, clots can become dangerous when they form inside blood vessels and disrupt circulation.
A superficial blood clot, like the one reported in Jalen Hurts' calf, develops in a vein close to the skin's surface. These clots are generally less dangerous than deep vein thrombosis (DVT), but they can cause pain, swelling, and inflammation and may require treatment or monitoring to prevent complications.
Jalen Hurts injury history
| Date | Team | Injury | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 20, 2018 |
 ALA |
High ankle sprain (tightrope surgery) | Nov. 24, 2018 Missed 4 games |
| Nov. 28, 2021 |
 PHI |
Left ankle sprain | Dec. 19, 2021 Missed 1 game; had offseason surgery |
| Dec. 18, 2022 |
PHI |
Right shoulder sternoclavicular sprain | Jan. 8, 2023 Missed 2 games |
| Oct. 22, 2023 |
PHI |
Left knee bone bruise | Oct. 29, 2023 Wore brace; no starts missed |
| Jan. 7, 2024 |
PHI |
Right middle finger dislocation | Jan. 15, 2024 Played in Wild Card playoff game |
| Dec. 15, 2024 |
PHI |
Concussion protocol | Dec. 29, 2024 Missed 1 game |
| Oct. 12, 2026 |
PHI |
Blood clot (lower leg) | Out indefinitely Ruled out for Week 7 and beyond |
Who will replace Jalen Hurts?
With veteran Andy Dalton demoted to QB3 and subsequently released after throwing an interception on his lone snap in relief of an injured Jalen Hurts in Week 3, the Eagles will turn to Tanner McKee.
The former Stanford star has been with Philadelphia since 2023 and owns a 1-1 record in two career starts. Across six NFL appearances, McKee has completed 61.4% of his passes while posting a respectable 95.7 passer rating.
Philadelphia also signed Joe Milton III off the Cowboys' practice squad Friday morning, adding depth to its QB room alongside fifth-round rookie Cole Payton.
Jalen Hurts injury: Odds impact
The Panthers have swung from 46% underdogs to a 63% implied win probability on Kalshi, and they are now trading as 3.5-point favourites.
With Philly missing its top three running backs and expected to be playing from behind, our Covers prop projections see significant value in McKee's Over 193.5 passing yards.
We project McKee to throw for 213 yards, giving the prop a 25.65% EV. The Panthers have also allowed the sixth-most pass attempts in the NFL this season.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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