Blood clot sidelines Philly QB
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PHILADELPHIA -- Quarterback Jalen Hurts shared breaking news with his backup on his way out to the Philadelphia Eagles' walkthrough on Thursday.
"He just kind of turned to me and said, 'looks like you're going to be the guy this week,'" second-stringer Tanner McKee said.
Up next, the conversation on why: Hurts was ruled out for Sunday's game against Carolina because of a superficial blood clot in his calf, the latest and biggest name of sidelined Eagles already this season.
The Eagles said in a statement Thursday that Hurts was injured in an Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams when he took a cleat to his calf area.
"It was a very unique experience, to say the least," Hurts told reporters on Wednesday. "I don't want to get into the details of kind of leading up to the game and whatnot. But got nicked up in the Rams game."
Hurts practiced on Wednesday and Thursday last week and informed the medical staff of the injury following the Oct. 8 practice.
The Super Bowl 59 MVP also practiced on Friday last week before the team left for London to play against Jacksonville.
"Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team's flight to London and walkthrough," the Eagles said in a statement. "The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia."
Hurts completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in a 19-17 loss to the Jaguars in a game that came down to the final seconds. The Eagles have lost three straight games under coach Nick Sirianni after an 0-2 start.
Williams wants to play
LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams feels physically ready to start against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after missing three games with a right hamstring injury.
Williams is awaiting the final go-ahead from the coaching staff and trainers after going through his first full practice Thursday since he was injured in a 9-3 loss to Minnesota in Week 2.
"I mean, I can move, I can run," Williams said. "I hit a top speed the other day, one of my high speeds I've ever hit and so I can move, I can run, I've got strength."
On Sunday, it will be four full weeks since the injury. Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum both saw time at quarterback as the Bears went 2-1 without Williams.
The third-year QB said even if he plays, his hamstring will not be fully healed.
Packers RB suing police
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has filed a lawsuit seeking to have evidence in his battery case permanently sealed.
The lawsuit against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department was filed Wednesday in Brown County Circuit Court.
Jacobs pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. He was charged in late August, and the criminal complaint against him noted that a surveillance video from the camera system in their garage corroborated the woman's statement.
That video hasn't been released, and lawyers representing the woman filed a motion last month asking that the evidence be sealed.
Clarence Duchac, the lawyer representing Jacobs in this lawsuit, said in his complaint that Jacobs "joins and supports (the victim's) position that the identifying, private and sensitive records associated with the underlying incident should not be publicly released."
Kirk on the mend
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers opened the 21-day practice window for receiver Christian Kirk, giving the team another possible option to bolster an injury-filled position group.
Kirk practiced on a limited basis for the first time since hurting his calf in the first training camp practice in July. Kirk began the season on injured reserve and finally was able to get back on the field with his teammates after what coach Kyle Shanahan described as an "awesome weekend" in his recovery.
No more London trips?
ONDON -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to play their 16th London game when they face the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. There could be changes in store in the future.
The Jaguars said before the season they're going to "totally reevaluate" their London strategy. Their economic motivation to play in London will decrease in 2028 with the expected completion of a stadium renovation in Jacksonville. Jags fans in the U.K. are hoping the team doesn't disappear. They've supported the team through the lean years -- until 2025, the Jags had never brought a winning record to London.
Positive thinking
ATLANTA -- According to head coach Kevin Stefanski, Michael Penix is on track to start at quarterback forthe Falcons Sunday as long as he experiences no setbacks before game day.
The Falcons, at 2-3, host the Chicago Bears Sunday.
Penix suffered a rib injury this past Sunday night in an overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He took part in full practice on Thursday, reporting positive comfort after making all his throws.