Jalen Hurts will not play for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after a follow-up medical scan showed a blood clot in his calf had moved, the team announced, handing the start to backup Tanner McKee for Week 7.

The clot traces back to Oct. 4, when Hurts took a cleat to his lower leg during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. An ultrasound performed ahead of the Eagles' game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars found a superficial clot, but doctors cleared him to play; he suited up and the Eagles lost, 19-17, according to FOX 4 News.

A follow-up ultrasound taken after that game and a subsequent practice showed the clot had shifted, prompting the Eagles to rule Hurts out entirely for the Panthers game. Newsweek reported that sports doctor Brian Sutterer, who is not part of the Eagles' medical staff, said publicly there is reason for concern that the issue could end Hurts' season — though the team itself has given no such timeline.

McKee Gets the Call

Hurts personally delivered the news of his diagnosis to McKee on the team's way to Thursday's walk-through, according to reporting from the Associated Press. Team officials have said only that Hurts' health and safety are the organization's highest priority, declining to speculate on when he might return.

"HIS HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR HIGHEST PRIORITY" — EAGLES OFFICIALS

Hurts led Philadelphia to a Super Bowl title and has been the unquestioned starter since, making the sudden medical uncertainty a significant story for a defending-champion locker room. Blood clots in professional athletes are treated cautiously because of the risk a clot could travel to the lungs or heart, a complication team doctors are evaluating with outside specialists.

The Eagles have not said whether Hurts will be placed on injured reserve, which would require him to miss a minimum of four games, or whether they are managing the situation week-to-week.