Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season -- and it could have been even worse.
The former All-Pro quarterback's diagnosis went from bad to worse after a superficial blood clot in his lower leg gave way to a pulmonary embolism. That's a blood clot in his lungs that can be life threatening or cause permanent disability. Fortunately, he was able to escape that worst case scenario and receive treatment that should restore him back to full strength, but it leaves plenty of questions for NFL fans who want to know more.
Let's turn to the experts who can explain why this is such a big deal, what Hurts' recovery may look like and what happens next.
What is a pulmonary embolism?
Let's go to one of the most respected hospitals in the United States, the Cleveland Clinic, for
the definition:
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot that travels to your lungs from somewhere else in your body and blocks blood flow. Usually, the clot starts in a vein in your leg or pelvis. It breaks free and moves through your bloodstream until it reaches your lungs, where it gets stuck in a blood vessel and obstructs the passage of blood.
Effectively, the superficial clot in Hurts' leg was something he could have played through (and did, on no sleep). But pieces moved from his lower leg, through his circulatory system and wound up in his lungs, which he absolutely cannot play through. While severe cases require surgical intervention, doctors were able to catch Hurts' case in time to reportedly limit his treatment to a course of blood thinners.
What caused Hurts' pulmonary embolism?
It's difficult to know the exact source, though reporters speculated it was due to the quarterback's leg gettingknicked by a cleatand a clot forming over time in response. Blood clots can also be hereditary, though there's no public record of Hurts suffering from them in the past.
What are the symptoms of pulmonary embolism?
I'll turn this one over to the Mayo Clinic.
Common symptoms include:
Other symptoms that can occur with pulmonary embolism include:
Will Hurts return for the 2026 season?
No. If you're wondering what the Eagles will do to replace him, well, *that*I can answer.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: What is a 'pulmonary embolism' that Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with?
