The Philadelphia Eagles are not planning to place Jalen Hurts on injured reserve right now, but the roster decision does not signal that their quarterback is close to returning.
Hurts remains sidelined indefinitely while the team gathers medical opinions and determines how to treat a superficial blood clot in his calf. He will miss Sunday’s game against Carolina.
NFL Network’s Saturday report said the Eagles could still put Hurts on injured reserve later. The organization is continuing to evaluate its options.
An injured-reserve designation would require Hurts to miss at least four games. Keeping him off the list for now avoids that minimum absence, but does not promise an earlier return.
The distinction matters for a Philadelphia team that needs its starting quarterback and cannot yet set a timetable. The Eagles’ medical statement said a follow-up ultrasound showed movement in the clot.
The team ruled Hurts out after that follow-up, and it has not announced a treatment plan or a date for his next evaluation. His health remains the central concern.
That leaves the Eagles managing two questions at once: what course of treatment is appropriate, and when Hurts can safely resume football activity. The club has not answered either publicly.
For now, Philadelphia turns to Tanner McKee, who is set to start against the Panthers. The move gives the backup another opportunity while the starter remains unavailable.
McKee will make his third career start, according to NFL.com. The Eagles also added Joe Milton III to the quarterback room, giving them another option behind McKee.
The timing is difficult for a 2-3 team trying to halt a three-game losing streak. Sunday’s game is an important chance to steady a season that has started unevenly.
Hurts has completed 57.8% of his passes for 933 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions this season, NFL.com reported. Philadelphia’s offense has struggled to find consistency.
The quarterback’s absence compounds other setbacks. Running back Saquon Barkley is also expected to miss a second straight game, while DeVonta Smith is set to return after missing two.
Those absences make McKee’s assignment more challenging, but the immediate priority is execution against Carolina. Philadelphia must adjust its offense without assuming Hurts will be available soon.
The decision to hold off on injured reserve leaves the Eagles flexibility as they await more medical information. It should not be read as a prognosis or a near-term clearance.
Hurts could still land on injured reserve if the team’s evaluation changes. The Saturday report leaves that possibility open, even as the Eagles currently have no plan to make the move.
For fans, the practical update is narrower than the roster headline may suggest: Hurts is out indefinitely, and his return date remains unknown. Sunday’s game will proceed without him.
Philadelphia’s next steps depend on its medical team’s assessment, not the roster designation alone. Until the Eagles provide a clearer update, McKee is the starter and Hurts’ status remains uncertain.
The Eagles face Carolina on Sunday, October 18, before entering a stretch of divisional games. Whether Hurts is available for any of those matchups has not been established.
For now, the team is preserving options while prioritizing the quarterback’s health. The absence of an injured-reserve move changes the roster picture, not the uncertainty surrounding his recovery.
