Por Renan Filho · 2026-10-16**Lead** The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly preparing to sign a quarterback from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad as starter Jalen Hurts deals with a blood clot diagnosis that has sidelined him indefinitely. The move, which has not been officially confirmed by the team, would mark a rare cross-division transaction between two of the NFL's most heated rivals, and it signals just how concerned the Eagles' front office has become about their quarterback depth chart.
**Context** Jalen Hurts, the Eagles' franchise quarterback and one of the most durable players at his position, was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lower leg earlier this week. The condition, while typically treatable with anticoagulants, poses a significant risk for athletes because of the potential for pulmonary embolism if the clot dislodges. Team doctors have placed Hurts on a rest protocol, and there is no timeline for his return. The Eagles have yet to place him on injured reserve, but they are actively exploring short-term solutions to keep the season competitive without their star signal-caller.
The team's current backup, Kenny Pickett, was acquired in an offseason trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers and has seen limited regular-season action. While Pickett is a serviceable NFL quarterback, the Eagles' coaching staff reportedly lacks full confidence in his ability to run the offense's complex RPO system at a high level. This has led general manager Howie Roseman to scan the waiver wire and practice squads across the league for a veteran or a developmental arm who could step in if Pickett falters.
**Analysis** The decision to target a quarterback from the Cowboys' practice squad is both pragmatic and provocative. From a pure football perspective, it makes sense: practice squad players are readily available without a trade, and the Cowboys' system under head coach Mike McCarthy is not far removed from the West Coast–influenced concepts that Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, a former Cowboys assistant, already installed in Philadelphia. A player from Dallas would be familiar with Moore's terminology, potentially accelerating the learning curve in a week where every practice rep counts.
But the optics of pulling a player from within the division are delicate. The Eagles and Cowboys have one of the NFL's most bitter rivalries, and any transaction between the two is scrutinized by fans and media alike. More importantly, the Cowboys would be helping a direct competitor, albeit for a marginal asset. Dallas' practice squad quarterback, who has bounced around the league as an undrafted free agent, has never thrown a regular-season pass. His value to the Eagles would be more as an emergency third option than as a legitimate starter, which raises the question: why not simply trust Pickett and keep a roster spot for another position of need?
**Analysis: The Urgency Factor** The Eagles' urgency reflects a broader reality of the NFL's new landscape. With a 17-game season and expanded playoffs, every loss can be the difference between a wild-card berth and a missed opportunity. Philadelphia started the season with Super Bowl aspirations, bolstered by a strong defensive core and a dynamic receiving corps led by A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Losing Hurts for even four weeks could derail those plans, especially with the NFC East race tightening and the Cowboys, surprisingly, still hovering around .500.
Signing a practice squad quarterback from a rival is not unprecedented — teams have done this for decades — but it is a sign that the Eagles are committed to maximizing every option. It also sends a message to the locker room that the front office is not content to simply tread water until Hurts returns. That competitive urgency is admirable, but it carries risk: bringing in a player who knows the opponent's playbook could backfire if he is later released and returns to Dallas with insider knowledge of Philadelphia's offensive adjustments.
**Fontes** This report is based on information from league sources familiar with the Eagles' internal discussions, as well as public statements from team officials regarding Jalen Hurts' health status. No official announcement has been made by either franchise at the time of writing. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected once the Eagles finalize their roster move.