The Philadelphia Eagles are being forced to pivot quickly after it was revealed starting quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sidelined with a blood clot.
News about Hurts’ condition was announced on Thursday, October 15, just days before the Eagles host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 18.
Tanner McKee is the Eagles backup quarterback and, at least for the moment, appears to be the chosen one to fill in for Hurts, 28, while he’s out.
The Eagles drafted McKee, 26, in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Stanford.
McKee has previously started two games for Philadelphia — in Week 18 during both the 2024 and 2025 seasons — and has appeared in a total of six games.
The quarterback was 27-for-41 passing for 269 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants in January 2025. McKee was 21-for-40- passing for 241 yards and one touchdown and one interception in a 24-17 loss to the Washington Commanders in January of this year.
Off the field, McKee and his wife, Lauren, welcomed their first baby, son Bryson, in March.
While McKee is the likely candidate to replace Hurts for now, there’s a chance the Eagles call up old friend Andy Dalton instead. Philadelphia released the veteran quarterback on October 9.
“Andy Dalton is an option to return for the #Eagles,” NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported on Thursday. “He’s had a few teams check in with him since the team released him, per sources, though there’s familiarity and a clear role in Philly for him if he decides to return.”
Garafolo added, “Sources say he has offers from multiple teams he’s been mulling for a few days now. The #Eagles had left the door open for his return on their practice squad and that was before Jalen Hurts latest blood-clot developments. TBD where he’ll wind up next.”
The Eagles announced the news about Hurts’ condition via social media on Thursday afternoon.
“On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report,” the team said. “Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London [to play the Jacksonville Jaguars] and walkthrough. 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.”
A follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday night revealed “movement in the small blood clot.”
Hurts was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Panthers as the Eagles determine “the appropriate course of treatment.” It is not clear whether Hurts will miss additional time.
