The Philadelphia Eagles‘ quarterback room had already taken a turn before their latest setback. Andy Dalton, signed as veteran insurance, was released on October 9 after throwing an interception on his only pass against Chicago. Tanner McKee, who had lost the summer backup battle to Dalton, was back in the No. 2 role.

Now, McKee is preparing for just his third career start, with Philadelphia trying to end a three-game losing streak. The rookie Cole Payton is also on the roster, but the Eagles have little regular-season experience behind their new starter. That is where Joe Milton III enters the picture.

“Breaking: The #Eagles are signing QB Joe Milton off the #Cowboys practice squad and to their 53-man roster, per sources,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on X.

The move became a reported transaction on October 16, when Philadelphia signed Milton directly to its active 53-man roster. The 26-year-old had spent the season on Dallas’ practice squad after failing to secure the backup job behind Dak Prescott. But, the signing also carries a roster consequence.

Under NFL rules, a player signed from another team’s practice squad must be added to the signing team’s active roster and remain there for at least three games. Milton cannot simply be stashed on Philadelphia’s practice squad while the team waits to see whether it needs him.

McKee is set to start against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, but Milton’s arrival gives the Eagles another option as they navigate an uncertain situation at quarterback. Rookie Cole Payton is also in the mix; NFL.com reported that Payton was expected to serve as McKee’s backup for the Panthers game, with Milton not present at Friday’s practice. The signing alone does not establish Milton as QB2.

Hurts’ absence followed a sequence of medical checks that began with a calf injury during Philadelphia’s October 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. According to the Eagles’ official statement, he sought treatment on October 8 after telling the medical staff he had been cleated during that game. He had practiced in full on Wednesday and Thursday before seeking treatment.

The team performed an ultrasound on October 10, after its flight to London, and discovered a superficial blood clot in Hurts’ calf. The medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and determined that he could safely play against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a follow-up ultrasound recommended within 72 hours of the game and return flight.

Hurts then completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 19-17 loss to Jacksonville on October 11. The Eagles said he played without limitation and continued to receive treatment after the game. But a follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday night, October 14, revealed movement in the clot.

“Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority,” the Eagles said in their October 15 statement. The team ruled him out for Week 6, but did not announce a return date.

The uncertainty around Hurts’ recovery is significant because treatment depends on the medical assessment of the clot. In a report published by EssentiallySports, Temple University orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine physician Dr. Ryan Schreiter discussed the possible timeline if oral anticoagulants are required.

“It’s usually 45 days to potentially three months on oral anticoagulants, and that’s just to make sure that blood clot goes away,” Schreiter said. He also stressed the role of follow-up scans in assessing whether the clot has resolved. This is a potential treatment timeline, not a confirmed forecast for Hurts.

For Philadelphia, the immediate task is to prepare McKee for a start against Carolina while keeping enough depth behind him. McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023, has two previous NFL starts and has thrown for 597 yards, five touchdowns and one interception across six career appearances. He has not played this season. The Eagles entered Week 6 at 2-3 and were trying to snap a three-game losing streak.

Milton’s appeal lies in his physical tools and the flashes he showed during the preseason. Dallas waived him on August 31 after he competed with Sam Howell for the backup job. In three preseason appearances, Milton completed 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also ran 12 times for 14 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys’ decision to waive him came after they claimed running back Emari Demercado off waivers and needed to make a corresponding roster move.

His regular-season résumé remains limited. New England drafted Milton in the sixth round in 2024, and he appeared in one game for the Patriots that season, completing 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score in a Week 18 win over Buffalo. After Dallas acquired him in a 2025 trade, he appeared in four games for the Cowboys, completing 15 of 24 passes for 183 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He has not taken a regular-season snap in 2026.

The move also leaves Dallas with a vacancy on its practice squad. Dak Prescott remains the Cowboys’ starter, with Howell as his immediate backup, but the team must now look elsewhere for additional quarterback depth. The timing adds another wrinkle to the NFC East rivalry: Dallas and Philadelphia are scheduled to meet on October 26, giving Milton a chance to face his former team if he earns a role.

For now, however, the Eagles’ immediate plan remains McKee at quarterback, with Payton and Milton providing additional options. Milton’s signing gives Philadelphia another arm while Hurts’ medical team determines the next steps, but it does not guarantee that the former Cowboys quarterback will see the field.