Jalen Hurts will not play for the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 6 after an ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot in his calf had moved. The team announced the diagnosis following their flight back from London, where they faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. Hurts is ruled out for the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers, and the Eagles have not confirmed how long he will be sidelined. The franchise said it is determining the appropriate course of treatment, emphasizing that Hurts’ health and safety are their highest priority.
Hurts' absence comes as a significant blow to a Philadelphia roster that has had a rough start with a 2-3 record. Despite this, the Eagles are not expected to rebuild or trade away players at the deadline. Instead, they plan to stay competitive through the 2026 season. The rationale lies in the substantial investments made in top-end talent, especially on defense, where the team remains one of the most talented in the league.
General manager Howie Roseman’s offseason moves included signing several high-profile defensive linemen, who rank just behind Hurts in total contract value. Alongside these, the Eagles feature a strong defensive group with former first-round edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr., All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun, first-round linebacker Jihaad Campbell, and standout corners Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen. The defense’s capability has kept Philadelphia competitive, even in narrow losses.
Injuries to offensive stars Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith have compounded the team’s challenges. Both are sidelined with hamstring issues, with Smith also dealing with a toe injury. When healthy, both remain significant playmakers who can shift the offensive balance. Nevertheless, the defense’s talent level suggests the Eagles can stay in games despite the offensive setbacks.
The NFC East division itself remains weak this season. The Dallas Cowboys, currently 2-3, recently lost 24-16 at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had been winless before that game. Dallas’ defense ranks near the bottom of the league in total yards allowed, run defense, and third-down conversion rate. Their struggles highlight the opportunity Philadelphia has to capitalize despite their own difficulties.
Philadelphia’s recent 19-17 loss to the Jaguars was close, with the Eagles kicking a go-ahead field goal with eight seconds remaining. A controversial kickoff call led to Jacksonville returning the ball 53 yards, setting up a 57-yard field goal that sealed the game for the Jaguars. The narrow margin keeps the Eagles within reach of a better record, with a different outcome in just a few plays.
The NFC East leader, the New York Giants (3-1-1), also face their own setbacks, missing quarterback Jaxson Dart and All-Pro edge rusher Brian Burns for the season due to knee injuries. Washington Commanders, at 1-3-1, managed a draw against the Giants last week. These circumstances further underline the Eagles’ opportunity to remain competitive in the division.
Coach Nick Sirianni, who has a 67-33 career record including playoffs, is under scrutiny after the Eagles’ three-game losing streak. This stretch began with a loss to the Chicago Bears and has exposed shortcomings on offense. The team ranks in the bottom 10 league-wide for scoring offense (18.4 points per game, 29th), total offense (262.2 yards per game, 31st), and rushing (91.6 yards per game, tied for 23rd).
Part of the offensive struggles appears tied to the implementation of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s scheme. Mannion, formerly a Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach and a player under coaches like Sean McVay, runs an offense that favors motion and play-action passing designed to confuse defenses. However, under Sirianni, the Eagles’ motion rate is average, and the offense has not fully embraced Mannion’s system.
The Eagles are now facing the challenge of adjusting their approach while Hurts is out. The team has not announced a replacement quarterback for Week 6. Meanwhile, the focus remains on managing Hurts’ health as treatment plans are finalized. The team’s ability to navigate this period will be critical as they aim to maintain their status as NFC East contenders.
According to CBS.
