Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed his concern and support for starting quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season due to blood clots found in his lungs. Hurts has been sidelined since the diagnosis, and the team has withheld detailed information about his condition, emphasizing that his health takes priority.
Hurts began experiencing complications after being initially cleared to play following the detection of a superficial clot in his left calf during the preseason. Subsequent testing in Philadelphia revealed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli, prompting him to undergo treatment with blood thinners. Eagles officials, along with Hurts’s agent Nicole Lynn, have voiced optimism about his recovery. In a joint statement released on Monday, Lynn indicated expectations of a full recovery and a return to contact football once off blood thinners, while cautioning that such statements are not medical guarantees.
The quarterback’s absence leaves significant questions about the future direction of both player and team. Hurts is currently in the third year of a five-year, $235 million contract extension, which contains declining guaranteed money after the 2026 season and no assured sums beyond 2027. His no-trade clause further complicates potential roster moves. The team’s recent offensive restructuring, including schematic changes under first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, was built around Hurts’s skill set, reflecting the organization’s confidence in him before the health issues emerged.
Philadelphia’s offense has struggled this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in several key metrics, including offensive expected points added and run game success rate. Injuries and personnel changes, such as the unexpected retirement of right tackle Lane Johnson and the trade of Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens, have added further challenges. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee, who has limited experience in the offense, has taken over starting duties but has yet to produce positive results. McKee completed 14 of 25 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown in a recent loss to the Carolina Panthers, a game marked by five consecutive punts to begin.
Despite the team’s difficulties, Sirianni confirmed that Mannion will continue calling plays, maintaining coaching continuity amid growing pressure for solutions. The coaching staff faces the challenge of developing and adjusting the offense without Hurts’s leadership on the field.
The NFL has stated that the Eagles handled Hurts’s medical evaluation appropriately. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, was involved in overseeing the process, which began at the Cleveland Clinic in London. The NFL Players Association, however, has requested a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hurts’s diagnosis and treatment, asserting the importance of establishing clear facts to ensure player safety. The league had previously indicated it did not plan to review the case.
As Hurts focuses on his recovery, the Eagles organization confronts both short-term challenges on the field and long-term questions about Hurts’s role and health moving forward. The current season, initially viewed as pivotal for Hurts’s career trajectory, now centers on his rehabilitation and the team’s ability to adapt without its starting quarterback.