Why Jalen Hurts' blood clot won't doom 2-3 Eagles' NFC playoff chances
· Yahoo Sports
Why Jalen Hurts' blood clot won't doom 2-3 Eagles' NFC playoff chances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been riddled with injuries, especially to their offense, during their disappointing 2-3 start to the 2026 NFL regular season. Unfortunately, they suffered the biggest blow yet ahead of their Week 6 game vs. the Panthers, losing starting quarterback Jalen Hurts to a "superficial blood clot."
Visit zeppelin.cool for more information.
Hurts is out "indefinitely," per an Ian Rapoport report on ESPN. There's a good chance to misses multiple weeks of action as the Eagles err on the side of caution with their Super Bowl 59 MVP franchise passer.
Although there's a natural feeling of further doom and gloom in Philadelphia, playing with Hurts isn't the final nail to derail the Eagles' season. They are still a very talented team under coach Nick Sirianni. They are in a more favorable situation than most teams to overcome such midseason adversity.
Here's looking again why the Eagles (still) not panic about their long-term outlook in '26:
MORE:The Sporting News' latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft
The Eagles have good backups on the depth chart in Tanner McKnee ... and Cole Payton
The Eagles are considering re-signing Andy Dalton to provide another option without Hurts. But they have been high on the smart, strong-armed McKee for a while as a young backup with upside. He has been with Sirianni behind Hurts since Philadelphia drafted him in the sixth round in 2023.
McKee has started on game in each of the past two seasons, giving him fair experience filling in for Hurts. Although he doesn't offer the same running element as a pocket passer, he can execute a good game plan.
Should McKee struggle, don't be surprised to see Payton, a rookie first-round draft pick out of North Dakota State, the alma mater of former Eagles starter Carson Wentz. Payton does offer dynamic rushing ability and did impress with his play in the preseason. With McKee unsigned for 2027, Payton can work to become Hurts' new top backup.
The Eagles play in the weakened NFC East ... with the Giants, Cowboys and Commanders
The Eagles are 2-3, only 1.5 games behind the 3-1-1 division-leading Giants, who are still in a precarious position with their starting QB, Jaxson Dart, out for the season. The Cowboys, also at 2-3, have a terrible defense that can continue to be a major liability. The last-place Commanders at 1-3-3 are having significant issues getting back on track under beleaguered coach Dan Quinn.
The goal for Philadelphia now is just making the playoffs. Getting a wild-card berth in the NFC is difficult between the loaded NFC West and NFC North. The best path remains taking advantage of a weak division. The Eagles can still easily win the NFC East for the fourth time in five seasons.
The Eagles' defense is healthier ... and playing at a high level again
The Eagles' defense put the team in position to win against the Rams and Jaguars in the past two weeks, despite the offense struggling for most of both games. There will be more of an onus put on Vic Fangio's group to play lights-out vs. run and pass, but keep in mind Philadelphia also lost to two scrappy playoff-caliber teams. The Eagles have rebounded well after being gashed by the Bears in Chicago in Week 3.will
The three-game losing streak can end against the Panthers by strong play up front to slow down the run and more overall impact in coverage. Fangio will need to get creative to further rev up the pass rush, but there's enough at every level to become a force at the right time. There also will be a greater emphasis on creating takeaways to make it easier on the Hurts-less offense.
MORE NFL WEEK 6:
The Eagles should soon get healthier at other key offensive positions
Tight end Dallas Goedert returned to action last week. The Eagles are hoping that will be the same case Saquon Barkley (hamstring) now that his top two backups, Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, are injured worse. Philadelphia is hopeful Barkley will suit up, supported by former Texans workhorse Dameon Pierce.
At wide receiver, top target DeVonta Smith (hamstring, toe) may need more time to return with multiple injuries. The Eagles will need to compensate for that again, using more 12 personnel with Goedert and either Johnny Mundt or Zach Ertz. Rookie Eli Stowers (quad) is also nearing a return to help. Smith's absence has been offset a little by Darius Cooper stepping up as a big-play threat opposite Dontayvion Wicks.
The offensive line transition with Cam Jurgens traded and Lane Johnson retired will be the bigger challenge, but there's some good news there with Landon Dickerson (knee) having a chance to play in Week 6 and rookie Markel Bell getting settled to replace Johnson at right tackle.
The Eagles have a favorable upcoming schedule ... before a Week 10 bye
The Eagles' timeline for Hurts' return might well be tied to the fact they have four games before a midseason break. The Panthers are a fair challenge in Week 6, but then it's vs. Cowboys in Week 7, at Commanders in Week 8, and vs. Giants in Week 9. That's three of the next four games at home and also three division games. The Eagles are already 1-0 in NFC East play after beating Washington in Week 1. No one should be surprised if that mark improves to 4-0 before Week 10.
That seems like a reasonable month-plus window to be the maximum time missed for Hurts. They should be more of a complete team come Week 11. Their most difficult games in the second half (by far) are vs. the Seahawks in Week 15 and at the 49ers in Week 17.
In all of the seasons that the Eagles could have seen Hurts and so many other key players get shelved, 2026 sets them up to survive and save their NFC playoff chances.