The Philadelphia Eagles are signing quarterback Joe Milton after being thrust into a quarterback emergency by Jalen Hurts’ blood clot.
It emerged on Thursday afternoon that the Super Bowl winner has a blood clot in his calf and has to miss at least one game – against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman has acted swiftly and signed Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. He was third choice in Dallas, behind starter Dak Prescott and backup Sam Howell.
Milton, 26, was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2024 and played once before getting traded to the Cowboys in April 2025. He appeared in four games for Dallas in 2025, throwing for 183 yards on 24 attempts with one touchdown and two interceptions.
The Eagles said in a statement Thursday that Hurts was injured when he took a cleat to his calf area on October 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. A day earlier, Hurts spoke in vague terms about the injury.
‘It was a very unique experience, to say the least,’ Hurts said. ‘I don´t want to get into the details of kind of leading up to the game and whatnot. But got nicked up in the Rams game.’
The Eagles are signing quarterback Joe Milton after being thrust into a quarterback emergency
Jalen Hurts has a superficial blood clot and will miss Sunday’s game against the Panthers
Hurts practiced last week and informed the medical staff of the injury after practice on October 8. The former Super Bowl MVP was back at practice the next day before the team left for London to play Jacksonville.
Hurts completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in a 19-17 loss to the Jaguars, the Eagles’ third straight defeat after a 2-0 start.
‘Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walk-through,’ the Eagles said in a statement.
‘The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.’
Hurts received treatment Monday and Tuesday this week when he returned to Philadelphia and was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. He had another ultrasound on Wednesday that revealed a ‘movement in the small blood clot.’
The kind of blood clot Hurts has often forms in a vein close to the surface of the skin but can be painful and requires treatment.
The Eagles said in a statement they would determine the appropriate course of treatment. There was no timetable on when Hurts could return.
Head coach Nick Sirianni will now turn to 26-year-old Tanner McKee against the Panthers with Milton expected to provide backup. Rookie Cole Payton is another option.
Nick Sirianni will now turn to Tanner McKee against the Panthers with Milton to provide backup
McKee had been the primary backup each of the past two seasons but lost that job in training camp to veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton was released last Friday after he threw an interception in the end zone on his lone pass attempt of the season in a Week 3 loss at Chicago.
McKee has two career starts, both in Week 18 the past two years. The Eagles had already clinched their playoff seeds and rested Hurts. McKee, a sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft, has completed 54 of 88 passes for five touchdowns and one interception.
Hurts has eight touchdown passes and three interceptions with 933 yards passing this season.
He’s led the Eagles to two Super Bowl appearances and earned MVP honors after they beat the Kansas City Chiefs to win the championship in the 2024 season.
He is in the midst of a five-year, $255 million extension, including $179.3 million guaranteed, that takes him through the 2028 season.
