NFL fans were left stunned after the Eagles' quarterback Jalen Hurts was ruled out for Week 6 with a superficial blood clot. The Eagles, in a statement about the injury, said Hurts visited the training room on Thursday, October 8, after practice to receive treatment on his calf.
Philadelphia had an ultrasound of his calf done on Saturday, October 9, after the team flew to London for their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it was informed he has a superficial blood clot. Medical staff closely monitored his condition following the initial discovery to ensure player safety.
After a follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday, October 14, it was revealed that Hurts' blood clot had moved, so the Eagles ruled him out for their Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers, saying, "His health and safety are our highest priority." The sudden development raised immediate concerns among supporters and sports analysts alike.
David Chao, who served as the Chargers team physician for 17 years, after going through the statements released by the franchise about Jalen Hurts and his blood clot, has weighed in on one key factor that will determine whether the QB misses a little time or a long time.
The one word that mattered most to Dr. Chao was "movement". "What do they mean by movement?" Dr. Chao told OutKick, an online platform and an affiliate of Fox News Digital, while analyzing the medical implications of the quarterback's sudden health setback.
"Do they mean movement as in it's propagating and it's now a bigger superficial blood clot? Or is it movement meaning it's deeper and it's a deep vein clot?" Dr. Chao questioned during his detailed analysis of the injury report.
"If he has a deep vein clot, he's out for multiple weeks, at least," Dr. Chao warned, explaining the severity of deep vein thrombosis in professional athletes and the necessary recovery protocols required before returning to the gridiron. The Eagles play the Carolina Panthers in Week 6 of the 2026 NFL season on Sunday, October 18, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia.
Team management has promised to provide further updates regarding Jalen Hurts' recovery timeline as soon as additional medical evaluations are completed. Medical experts across the league have emphasized that blood clots in professional athletes require extremely cautious management.
Physical exertion and high-impact contact sports can exacerbate vascular issues, making premature returns exceptionally risky for players. As the franchise prepares for the upcoming fixture, the coaching staff will rely on backup options while keeping a close eye on the star quarterback's rehabilitation progress.
Fans and team officials remain hopeful for a full and swift recovery.