After a second ultrasound revealed that a blood clot had shifted, the Philadelphia Eagles have officially ruled out star quarterback Jalen Hurts for the crucial Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The sudden medical setback has forced the Eagles' front office to aggressively bolster their roster by poaching talent from their bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.
According to multiple credible media reports, the Eagles are set to sign Joe Milton directly from the Cowboys' practice squad. Under the strict regulations of the National Football League (NFL), when a franchise signs a player from another team's practice squad, that player must be immediately added to the active 53-man roster.
Consequently, Milton is expected to suit up for Philadelphia this weekend. The New England Patriots originally selected Milton in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, after spending a developmental year serving as a backup to Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett, he did not see significant playing time. He was subsequently transferred to the Dallas Cowboys in April 2025, where he gained limited experience appearing in four games as a backup to veteran Dak Prescott.
Last season, the Cowboys made a strategic move by trading for Sam Howell, who eventually secured the primary backup quarterback role behind Prescott. The Cowboys waived Milton following the preseason in a move that appeared to catch the 26-year-old athlete by surprise, given his performance during training camp.
Dallas subsequently signed Milton to their practice squad, where he remained for five weeks of the current season. This tenure ended abruptly on Friday, October 16, when Philadelphia initiated their move to acquire him.
The Eagles are now scheduled to face the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 18, at the iconic Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The loss of Jalen Hurts is a significant blow to the Eagles' offensive strategy.
Medical staff confirmed that the decision to bench him was precautionary following the latest ultrasound results. The team remains hopeful that the shift in the blood clot will resolve with rest and continued monitoring, though no specific return date has been set.
Joe Milton brings a unique skill set to the Eagles' locker room. Known for his immense arm strength and mobility, he is expected to provide immediate depth.
Coaching staff will likely spend the next 48 hours integrating him into the playbook to ensure he is ready for potential game-time action. Fans in Philadelphia have expressed mixed reactions to the signing, given the intense rivalry between the two franchises.
However, the front office maintains that securing a player with Milton's familiarity with the league's pace was the most logical step to maintain competitiveness in the NFC East. As the team prepares for Sunday, all eyes will be on how the coaching staff manages the quarterback rotation.
The pressure is mounting as the Eagles look to maintain their playoff aspirations despite the ongoing injury crisis affecting their key starters. The NFL league office has confirmed that all paperwork regarding the transaction has been processed.
Milton is expected to participate in his first practice with the Eagles on Saturday morning, marking a rapid transition for the young quarterback as he joins a new system mid-season.