Stephen A. Smith has harsh words for Eagles after Jalen Hurts news
The NFL world was dealt a major blow on Monday as the Philadelphia Eagles announced that quarterback Jalen Hurts would miss the remainder of the 2026 season, prompting ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith to deliver a harsh verdict on the team’s championship hopes.
"The Eagles are done." @stephenasmith responds to Jalen Hurts being out for the season. https://t.co/5jdKz2w2hS
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 19, 2026
“The Eagles are done,” Smith declared, expressing little confidence in Philadelphia’s ability to recover from losing its starting quarterback. While Smith offered his support for Hurts on a personal level and wished him a full recovery, he made it clear that he does not believe the Eagles can remain contenders without their star signal-caller.
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Hurts’ season ends following blood clot diagnosis
Oct 11, 2026; Tottenham, ENG; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) throws a pass during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Hurts, 28, initially missed Philadelphia’s Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers after suffering a blood clot in his calf. Backup quarterback Tanner McKee stepped in, but the Eagles struggled offensively and suffered a 25-14 defeat.
The loss marked Philadelphia’s fourth consecutive defeat, dropping the team to 2-4 on the season and raising further questions about its ability to turn things around.
Hurts was initially expected to miss the Eagles’ next four games. However, Monday’s announcement confirmed that the quarterback had been diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs and would be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.
Despite the concerning diagnosis, the team provided a positive update on his condition, stating that Hurts is “clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations.” The Eagles also expressed confidence that their quarterback would make a full recovery.
Although Hurts will be unable to participate in football activities, he is expected to remain around the team while focusing on his recovery.
The 2024 Super Bowl MVP had thrown for 933 yards and eight touchdowns through Philadelphia’s first five games, making his absence a significant setback for an offense already struggling to find consistency.
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Eagles face tough road ahead without their star
Oct 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in action against the Los Angeles Rams at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
With Hurts unavailable, Philadelphia faces an uphill battle as it attempts to end its losing streak and salvage its season. McKee will be tasked with stepping into a difficult situation as the Eagles look for answers under center.
Their next challenge comes against division rivals the Dallas Cowboys, who also enter Week 7 with a 2-4 record. The teams will meet next Monday in a crucial matchup for both sides.
For Smith, however, the outlook is already bleak. With Hurts out for the season and Philadelphia struggling, the outspoken analyst believes the Eagles’ hopes of competing for a championship have effectively disappeared.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.