Jalen Hurts makes rare appearance at Eagles facility after blood clot
As quarterback drama engulfs the Eagles before their rivalry contest this weekend with the Giants, sidelined starter Jalen Hurts made a rare appearance at the team’s facility Wednesday while he recovers from blood clots in his lungs that will cost him the rest of the season, according to ESPN.
Hurts’ visit reportedly marked the first time that some teammates had seen him some his diagnosis and he attended several meetings in what some described to the outlet as a morale boost.
“Of course, I’ve seen him. I have no new update on anything, but of course I’ve talked to him and in constant communication with him and know he’s resting and recovering,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday. “I miss him like crazy. But nothing new on that front.
“I know he’s resting and recovering, and we’re all still praying for him and hoping for a speedy recovery.”
Hurts, 28, last played in the Eagles’ 19-17 loss to the Jaguars in London in Week 5.
He initially suffered an injury during Week 4 that required medical treatment before an ultrasound ahead of the Jaguars game revealed a blood clot in his left calf.
Hurts suited up despite the scary reveal, with team and London doctors determining he could “safely play,” despite an unusual sleep schedule.
A follow-up ultrasound the next week revealed that the blood clot developed into a “deep vein thrombosis” plus a “bilateral pulmonary emobli,” which are blood clots on the lungs.
The team ruled him out for the Week 6 game against the Panthers before placing him on injured reserve ahead of the game, and ESPN later revealed he would miss at least three months since he needs to be on blood-thinning medication while he heals.
The NFL ultimately ruled that the Eagles did not violate any protocols with how they handled Hurts.
That three-month timeline means he could return in a best-case scenario during the playoffs, although the 2-6 Eagles are long shots at this point after losing six straight games.
The team went 0-3 with Tanner McKee as quarterback and has now shifted to backup Joe Milton III for Sunday’s home game after acquiring him last month.
Sunday will mark Milton’s first career start in three seasons.
“I think he’s worked really hard,” Sirianni said of Milton. “He works extremely hard. He’s always in the building doing extra things. I like his progression.”
