Eagles’ Nick Sirianni Opens Up With Emotional ‘I Miss Him’ Admission About Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts recorded 933 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, and 107 rushing yards across five games before a blood-clot diagnosis ended his 2026 season. His absence has removed the Eagles’ leading passer and runner from an offense that has struggled to replace his production.

The Eagles began the season 2-0 but have since lost six straight games and now sit at 2-6. Hurts went on injured reserve after a clot in his calf was found to have moved, and subsequent testing confirmed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli.

Coach Nick Sirianni reflects on missing injured quarterback Jalen Hurts

Sirianni has remained in contact with Hurts as the quarterback rests and recovers. The coach spoke about Hurts’ condition after Philadelphia prepared to move forward without its franchise leader, with the team also changing its quarterback plan for the Week 9 matchup with the New York Giants.

“Yeah, of course, I’ve seen him and I have no new update on anything. But of course, I’ve talked to him and in constant communication with him, and I know he’s resting and recovering. I miss him like crazy. And so, yeah, but nothing new on that front. But, yeah, I know he’s resting and recovering, and we’re all still praying for him and hoping for a speedy recovery,” Sirianni said in an update shared by Jeff Skversky.

Hurts’ issue began with a calf injury after the Eagles’ Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. An ultrasound detected a superficial blood clot, and a follow-up scan later showed movement within the clot.

The Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve after consulting medical experts. Reports later said he was on blood thinners and would miss the rest of the season.

Tanner McKee started the next three games and completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 638 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Philadelphia went 0-3 in those games, and the team then turned to Joe Milton III for the Week 9 start against the Giants.

The change gives Milton an opportunity, but it does not solve the production gap left by Hurts. Hurts also had three interceptions, a 57.8 percent completion rate, and one rushing touchdown.

As injuries mounted across key skill positions, the offense’s efficiency plummeted, sending the Eagles spiraling from a 2-3 standing into a dismal 2-6 slide.

Sirianni has expressed confidence in his quarterbacks, but his comments show the personal effect of losing Hurts. The coach and quarterback have worked together for more than five seasons.

The priority is Hurts’ recovery, not a football timetable. Philadelphia must evaluate its quarterback room without its leader.

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