Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts made an appearance at the team's practice facility on Wednesday, marking his first visit since being placed on injured reserve in October due to blood clots in his lungs.
Hurts attended team meetings but did not address the group directly. His presence provided a morale boost for some players.
Coach Nick Sirianni said he was in "constant communication" with Hurts and knew he was "resting and recovering." Sirianni said he missed Hurts "like crazy" and that the team was "still praying for him and hoping for a speedy recovery."
Hurts is expected to sit out the remainder of the season. Doctors discovered multiple blood clots in the quarterback's lungs, leading to his season-ending status. Hurts was initially diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in London before the Eagles' Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He played in that Week 5 matchup and flew home with the team. Hurts then practiced in full the following Wednesday. A follow-up ultrasound conducted that evening showed the blood clot had moved.
The Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve on Oct. 17. Two days later, his agent Nicole Lynn and the team issued a joint statement clarifying his condition as deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli after further testing. The statement noted he was "clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations."
Hurts' treatment involves anticoagulation medication, commonly known as blood thinners, which prevents him from participating in any contact activities, including games or practices.
In Hurts' absence, Tanner McKee started three games, compiling an 0-3 record while throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. Joe Milton replaced McKee and was signed off the Dallas Cowboys practice squad in mid-October to strengthen the Eagles' quarterback depth.
The Eagles are on a six-game losing streak heading into Sunday's game against the division-leading New York Giants.
