Eagles sign quarterback Joe Milton off Cowboys practice squad
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The gist
The Eagles signed quarterback Joe Milton III off the Cowboys practice squad after Jalen Hurts was ruled out with a calf blood clot.
Milton must stay on the active roster at least three games.
Background
Joe Milton III is a 26-year-old quarterback who entered the NFL in 2024 and has appeared in five regular-season games for the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys. He spent this year's training camp competing to be Dak Prescott's backup in Dallas, was waived during final roster cutdowns in late August, then re-signed to the Cowboys' practice squad after clearing waivers. The Eagles moved for him after franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts was sidelined by a superficial blood clot in his calf, leaving Tanner McKee to start Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
How it unfolded
- 2024The Patriots selected Joe Milton in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.
- 2025Milton arrived in Dallas via a 2025 trade from the New England Patriots that also included a swap of 2025 draft picks.
- Aug 2026The Cowboys waived Milton during final roster cutdowns in late August, but re-signed him to the practice squad once he cleared waivers.
- Oct 15, 2026The Eagles announced Jalen Hurts was sidelined due to a superficial blood clot in his calf.
- Oct 16, 2026The Eagles signed quarterback Joe Milton III off the Cowboys practice squad, a league source told The Inquirer; he will be added to their 53-man roster. Tanner McKee will start at quarterback Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
- Oct 18, 2026The Eagles need to add a quarterback because Jalen Hurts has been ruled out of the Oct. 18 game against the Carolina Panthers with a superficial blood clot in his leg.
- Oct 26, 2026There is a chance Milton and the Cowboys will square off on Oct. 26, making things that much more intriguing in a wide open and unpredictable NFC East.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Eagles said in a statement that they're determining "the appropriate course of treatment" for Hurts.
- Analysts
- It's not known how many games Hurts will have to miss, but the fact that the Eagles are signing Milton indicates it could be more than one.
Still unverified
It is unclear how long Hurts will be out, and it is not known how many games he will have to miss. It is also not known yet whether WR DeVonta Smith and/or Dontayvion Wicks or RB Saquon Barkley can play against the Panthers; all three are dealing with hamstring injuries.