Jalen Hurts is out against the Panthers after a blood clot in his calf moved

The Eagles will play Sunday without their quarterback. A small blood clot in Jalen Hurts' calf has moved and the team is not taking any chances.

Philadelphia ruled Hurts out of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday. The team said a follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday night revealed movement in what it called a superficial blood clot.

How it started

The Eagles laid out the timeline in a statement. Hurts took a cleat to the calf in the Oct. 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He practiced in full the following Wednesday and Thursday before asking for treatment on the calf after practice on Oct. 8.

He was added to the injury report the next day as a full participant. After the team flew to London an ultrasound found the clot. Doctors there decided that activity was important and that Hurts could safely play against Jacksonville. They asked for a follow-up scan within 72 hours of the game and the flight home.

Hurts played without limits in London. He completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown before Cam Little's 57-yard field goal at the buzzer handed the Jaguars the win.

"Jalen will be out for Sunday's game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment," the Eagles said. "His health and safety are our highest priority."

How long could he be out?

The team did not give a timeline. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show that he would describe Hurts as out indefinitely. Rapoport said treatment for a clot often means blood thinners and a player on blood thinners cannot play.

Tanner McKee gets his shot

Backup Tanner McKee will start against Carolina. The 6-foot-6 passer has two career starts but both came in Week 18 the last two seasons with the playoff picture already settled. Sunday will be the first meaningful start of his career.

The only other quarterback on the roster is fifth-round rookie Cole Payton out of North Dakota State. Philadelphia released veteran Andy Dalton last week and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said a reunion is an option.

A rough stretch keeps getting rougher

The Eagles have lost three straight games. Running back Saquon Barkley and receiver DeVonta Smith are both nursing hamstring injuries and right tackle Lane Johnson retired earlier this season.

Hurts has thrown for 933 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions this season. Now the Eagles have to figure out how to win without him while the medical staff figures out what comes next.