Philadelphia Eagles' quarterback Jalen Hurts has been found to have blood clots in both lungs, which is medically termed bilateral pulmonary emboli. The player will be missing the rest of the 2026 NFL season.
This was reported by the Philadelphia Eagles and the agent of Jalen Hurts, Nicole Lynn, on Monday, October 19. The information has brought attention to a medical condition affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans annually and being potentially life-threatening without proper treatment.
The Philadelphia Eagles stated that Jalen Hurts has been diagnosed in London with a superficial vein clot in his left calf. According to the team's statement, after further tests and observation, it has become clear that he has bilateral pulmonary emboli and DVT.
The Eagles claimed that his clinical status is stable and that there are no limitations in his functionality. The treatment is expected to consist of taking blood-thinning medication only. The Eagles put the quarterback on injured reserve over the weekend.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and Adam Schefter of ESPN, Hurts would be on blood thinners for a minimum of three months and will likely miss the remainder of the season. CBS Philadelphia indicated that Hurts will make a complete recovery.
A time frame of several weeks was covered:
- On October 4: Hurts was injured during a match against the Los Angeles Rams, where, according to the team, he got his calf injured after being "cleated."
- During a London trip, on Saturday, an ultrasound before the Jaguars game showed the presence of a superficial clot. The doctors approved him for the match, where Hurts played all snaps in a 19-17 defeat.
- Wednesday update: The results of another ultrasound indicated movement in the clot, and Hurts was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Panthers.
- On October 19: Further tests indicated DVT and clots in both lungs.
Pulmonary embolism is a condition that arises when there is a clot in the artery of the lung that impedes blood flow. Most cases develop from a clot in one of the legs that is in a deep vein and dislodges and goes into the heart and then to the lungs. Both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are types of venous thromboembolism, as stated by the CDC.
When there are clots in both the right and left lungs, the condition is referred to as "bilateral." As per ABC News, a pulmonary embolism leads to damage of the lungs permanently, decreased blood oxygen level, and other organ damage due to lack of oxygen.
While physicians state that a superficial clot, which appears in a vein near the surface of the skin, is usually less threatening than a deep clot, the CDC reports that an untreated superficial clot can evolve into a deep clot, increasing the possibility of the clot fragments reaching the lungs.
Doctors who have reviewed the condition of Hurts, yet do not treat him personally, say that most likely the clots in his lungs are very small. According to Thomas Meyer from Main Line Health, the question is why the clots appeared at all.
The symptoms of a pulmonary embolism appear suddenly and usually include:
- Shortness of breath;
- Sharp chest pain that gets even more acute during inhalation;
- Coughing that can be accompanied by blood;
- Fainting or dizziness as well as a fast heartbeat;
- Pain and swelling in one leg, indicating DVT.
Any person experiencing any of these symptoms requires immediate medical help.
The standard treatment for clots is anticoagulation, which is more commonly referred to as blood thinners, since it prevents existing clots from enlarging and new ones from forming. According to Parth Rali, the director of the pulmonary embolism response team at Temple Health, the standard treatment in this case is blood thinners.
The patients are typically observed to ensure the clots reduce in size and no new clots appear. The treatment usually lasts for at least three months and, depending on the causes, may be extended.
In 2025, Senator Chuck Grassley claimed that around 900,000 people in the US suffer from blood clots annually, and it is the reason behind $10 billion worth of health expenses yearly. It is one of the main reasons for preventable deaths in the hospitals.
The risk factors include being a patient with cancer, pregnancy, old age, surgery recovery, and long-term immobilization. Notable public figures who have suffered from blood clots include TODAY show anchor Al Roker, who was affected by clots in his lungs and legs in 2024.
Hurt's first step is obviously recovery and treatment. For the Eagles, whose record at the time was 2-3 prior to their most recent game, a plan must be made based on the fact that their star quarterback won’t be around for some time.
As far as replacement players go, it is expected that backup Tanner McKee will run the show. Management hasn’t commented on whether they’ll be adding another quarterback.
