The Philadelphia Eagles have a quarterback problem heading into Week 6, and it comes at a difficult time for a team trying to stop a three-game losing streak. At 2-3, Philadelphia has been forced to navigate Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Hurts was ruled out Thursday after a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in a superficial blood clot in his calf. The issue developed after he was cleated during Philadelphia’s Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Hurts played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last Sunday, but the latest medical finding forced the Eagles to prioritize his health. Tanner McKee is expected to start against Carolina, leaving Philadelphia needing additional depth at quarterback.
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Eagles are signing Joe Milton III off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. The move gives Philadelphia another option at the position as it prepares for life without Hurts, whose return timeline remains unclear.
Milton, 26, entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2024 before joining Dallas in a trade the following year. He spent the 2026 offseason competing with Sam Howell for the Cowboys’ backup job but was waived when Dallas finalized its roster. After clearing waivers, he returned to the Cowboys on their practice squad.
The quarterback showed flashes of his arm strength during the preseason, throwing for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception across three games. However, Dallas ultimately preferred Howell’s consistency and command of the offense.
The Eagles’ decision to release veteran quarterback Andy Dalton on Oct. 9 left McKee as Hurts’ primary backup, with rookie Cole Payton also in the quarterback room. Signing Milton adds another developmental option as Philadelphia adjusts to Hurts’ absence.
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More on the Philadelphia Eagles
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- Eagles Players Expresses ‘Full Confidence’ in Tanner McKee Ahead of Start vs. Panthers
- Who Is Joe Milton? Eagles Poach Strong-Armed QB From Cowboys After Jalen Hurts’ Blood Clot
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