The Carolina Panthers are gearing up for a tricky-looking trip to the Philadelphia Eagles. But quarterback Jalen Hurts won't be suiting up on the opposite side after a scary health issue that demanded immediate attention.
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and ESPN confirmed that Hurts has been ruled out of Week 6 and probably longer after tests revealed a blood clot.
The issue was first noted before Philadelphia's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. Additional examinations revealed the clot had moved, and treatment is now required.
Jalen Hurts won't play against the Carolina Panthers after blood clot diagnosis
And at times like this, football immediately becomes secondary.
“Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter.
"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 Panthers dealt with something similar during the offseason with right tackle Taylor Moton.
Before Carolina's workout program, the respected veteran also had blood clots. He's been managed carefully and took blood thinners to ease the concern. Now, they have triggered his 21-day release window, and the Western Michigan product could make his return this weekend if everything goes well.
Hurts will now put his recovery first. Like Moton, he will probably go on blood thinners and need a period of rest before being re-evaluated. The signal-caller is competitive, so the fight in him wants to get back as soon as possible.
But if this means he has to miss the remainder of 2026 to get himself right, it's a small price to pay.
With Hurts out until further notice, the Eagles will probably turn to a familiar face.
They recently released veteran Andy Dalton, who joined the franchise via trade from the Panthers this offseason. He could be a viable backup who might also offer useful insight into how Carolina does business.
Time will tell on that. But the most important thing now is for Hurts to rest, get well, and focus on himself. He's typically an unfair scapegoat when things aren't going right in Philadelphia, but we might now see just how important he is to the team's plans.
We wish him a smooth recovery. Because even though football is important, there is more to life.
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