Eagles lose four straight as Jalen Hurts sits out with blood clots

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss Monday Night Football after blood clots were found in his calf and lungs. The 25-year-old signal caller is out for the Week 7 match against the Dallas Cowboys, a loss that would extend Philadelphia's losing streak to four games.

The Eagles have fallen to 2-4 after starting the season with two victories. Beyond Hurts, the offense is missing top wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, as well as safety Nolan Smith. Running back Saquon Barkley, guard Landon Dickerson, offensive tackle Jonathan Greenard, and wide receiver Jalyx Hunt are all listed as questionable for the contest at Lincoln Financial Field.

Dallas enters the game after losing two consecutive games in disheartening fashion. The Cowboys combined for 29 points against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers, a sharp drop from the 30-plus point totals in each of their previous three contests. The offense struggled to handle defensive pressure, managing only 98 rushing yards in those two games despite the return of star guard Tyler Smith.

The Eagles defense may offer Dallas a reprieve from the blitz-heavy schemes that tormented the Cowboys last week. The Bucs and Packers sent extra rushers on 38.8% of Dak Prescott's dropbacks in Weeks 5 and 6. By contrast, the Eagles have blitzed on just 24.1% of opponent dropbacks, the fourth-lowest rate in the National Football League. Defending coordinator Vic Fangio has only employed that higher blitz rate once since joining the staff.

Dallas remains vulnerable on the ground, allowing opponents 4.7 yards per carry this season. The Eagles, however, face their own offensive hurdles. With Hurts out, backup Tanner McKee is expected to lean heavily on the passing game. McKee has thrown 48 times in his limited career starts, and the Eagles lack the quarterback run threat that Hurts provides. His top targets will likely be tight end Dallas Goedert and wide receivers Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper.

The Cowboys rank below average in generating pressure, recording a sack, hit, or hurry on only 32.9% of opponent dropbacks. This lack of pressure has allowed opposing quarterbacks to stay in the pocket, completing 60.4% of passes for 7.0 yards per attempt. If McKee remains under duress, his statistics are poor; he is 16 for 45 for 179 scoreless yards in his career when pressured.

The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN and ABC. DraftKings Sportsbook lists the Cowboys as 4.5-point favorites with an over/under of 43.5 points. The Eagles' defense has allowed eight touchdown passes but just three interceptions, aided by 14 opponent drops, the second-most in the league. Philadelphia's secondary, featuring Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean, has been asked to cover for extended stretches due to the line's inability to rush the passer.

Dallas has given up at least 165 rushing yards to four of its six opponents this season. The Eagles' running back situation is uncertain, with Barkley fully practicing on Friday for the first time since his hamstring injury. If Barkley returns, he has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in the two games he has played through this season. The Eagles have allowed only 4.0 yards per carry, a statistic that could limit Dallas' rushing attack if the Eagles can establish their own ground game early.