Jalen Hurts is facing a serious health challenge, and one of his former Philadelphia Eagles teammates is showing his support. Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Jahan Dotson sent prayers to Hurts after the quarterback was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs.
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Dotson’s message offered a reminder that football takes a back seat when a player’s health is at stake. Speaking to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Dotson said, “Anything like that that people have to deal with, it’s bigger than football at the end of the day. Stuff like that is scary. You never want to see anything like that in the game.”
The comments came after Philadelphia confirmed Hurts’ diagnosis on Monday. The quarterback had initially been diagnosed with a blood clot in his left calf, but further medical evaluations revealed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli in both lungs.
Jalen Hurts faces a lengthy recovery
Dotson on former teammate Jalen Hurts' health: Anything like that that people have to deal with, it's bigger than football at the end of the day. I'm gonna send my prayers out to him and wish him a speedy recovery. Stuff like that is scary. You never want to see anything like…
— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) October 19, 2026
The Eagles confirmed that Hurts is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations. His treatment includes blood thinners, which prevent him from participating in contact activities, including football.
The team and Hurts’ agent expressed optimism about his recovery and said they expect him to avoid long-term effects. However, he will miss the remainder of the 2026 season while he undergoes treatment.
The diagnosis also leaves Philadelphia facing a major challenge at quarterback. Hurts had been ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers before the more serious details emerged. Backup Tanner McKee started in his place as the Eagles suffered a 25-14 defeat.
Philadelphia’s season has taken a difficult turn, with four consecutive losses leaving the team at 2-4. Still, the immediate priority extends beyond the standings or the team’s playoff hopes.
Dotson knows Hurts from their time together in Philadelphia before joining Atlanta. His message reflects the concern surrounding a player whose health matters far more than any game.
For the Eagles and their fans, the focus now is on Hurts’ recovery. The organization has expressed confidence in his long-term prognosis, but his health remains the most important concern.
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