The Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Joe Milton to their active 53-man roster off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad on October 16, 2026, after ruling starting quarterback Jalen Hurts out due to a superficial blood clot in his calf.
Jalen Hurts Sidelined Indefinitely by Calf Blood Clot
The Philadelphia Eagles lost their starting quarterback ahead of their Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Jalen Hurts was ruled out after team medical staff discovered a superficial blood clot in his leg.
🚨 BREAKING: THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES HAVE SIGNED QB JOE MILTON 🚨With Jalen Hurts sidelined indefinitely, Philadelphia is making moves at quarterback 🦅MILTON IS HEADED TO PHILLY 👀 pic.twitter.com/CaD7aNc2xT
— https://x.com/HOFApp/status/2111119203788853505
According to the team’s medical disclosure, Hurts visited the training room following practice on Thursday, October 8, seeking treatment for a calf issue. He informed trainers that he had been cleated during the October 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. He received treatment, practiced fully on Friday, and was added to the injury report.
Team doctors recommended an ultrasound following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. That scan revealed the superficial blood clot, prompting the team to sideline him indefinitely. While the timeline for his return remains unclear, reporting from ESPN indicates he will stay out until the medical situation resolves.
On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.
Philadelphia Eagles, official team statement
Head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the situation with reporters on October 16, declining to outline specific treatment protocols.
I’m not going to get too much into that. I know there’s a great deal of interest in Jalen’s health. Jalen’s health is the utmost important to all of us in this building. We care deeply about Jalen.
Nick Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles head coach
Tanner McKee Steps In as Quarterback Room Shifts
Entering his fourth year, Tanner McKee takes over the starting role for the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers. McKee has started just two games in his career, both coming in Week 18 contests when postseason seeding was already locked.
The Eagles originally opened the season with veteran Andy Dalton as their primary backup after a training camp quarterback competition. However, Dalton was released on October 9 after throwing a goal-line interception against the Chicago Bears in Week 3. That release elevated McKee to the number two spot, and he now finds himself leading the offense.
Every opportunity you get to play is a huge opportunity, especially being a sixth-round pick. Every opportunity is a huge opportunity. I’m obviously very excited and ready to make the most of it.
Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Rookie fifth-round draft pick Cole Payton moves up to serve as the backup quarterback. Payton saw his first regular-season action the previous week in London, playing ten snaps on special teams. Behind McKee and Payton, the team added Joe Milton to round out the active roster.
Joe Milton Joins From Dallas Cowboys Practice Squad
To bolster their depleted quarterback room, the Eagles poached Joe Milton off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Under NFL roster rules, any player signed directly from another team’s practice squad must go straight to the active 53-man roster.
To clear the necessary roster space, Philadelphia placed running back Will Shipley on injured reserve after he suffered a foot injury during the Jacksonville Jaguars game on October 11. Milton is required to remain on the active 53-man roster for a minimum of three games.
The transaction sets up a quick reunion. The Eagles face the Cowboys on Monday Night Football on October 26, meaning Milton could suit up against his former team just weeks after leaving their practice squad. Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer voiced support for the quarterback upon his departure.
I think it’s a great opportunity for Joe. It didn’t catch me by surprise. Everyone’s aware of what’s going on with Jalen. They recognize [Joe] as a young man with incredible talent. I think the world of Joe. I’m sad to see him go, but I hope he gets every opportunity.
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys head coach
Milton originally entered the NFL as a sixth-round draft pick for the New England Patriots in 2024 before being traded to Dallas in April 2025. During the 2026 preseason, he competed for the backup job behind Dak Prescott, but the Cowboys ultimately selected Sam Howell for the role and waived Milton during final roster cuts.
Mounting Injuries Compound Roster Shuffling
The quarterback changes arrive amid extensive roster attrition in Philadelphia. The team listed 24 players on its injury report ahead of Week 6, leaving multiple positional groups short-handed.
Running back depth has taken a severe hit. Saquon Barkley missed practice for a third consecutive day with a hamstring injury and will miss his second straight game. With Barkley, Tank Bigsby (core muscle injury), and Will Shipley (foot injury) all sidelined, Dameon Pierce steps in as the primary running back, supported by Carson Steele after both were promoted from the practice squad on October 9.
At wide receiver, DeVonta Smith has managed a hamstring issue originally sustained against the Tennessee Titans on September 20. While Smith returned to practice and indicated his leg feels good, the cumulative injuries across the offense place heightened pressure on McKee and the newly configured backup group as they prepare for Carolina.
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