The immediate fantasy moves
These calls assume redraft scoring. Dynasty and keeper managers should continue holding Hurts.
What is the latest Jalen Hurts injury update?
Philadelphia placed Hurts on injured reserve on October 17. Two days later, the Eagles and his agent announced that further evaluation found a deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. The team said Hurts is clinically stable, has a very good prognosis and is expected to recover fully, but he cannot participate in contact activities while receiving anticoagulation treatment.
The Eagles have not announced a firm return date. NFL Network and ESPN reported that recovery is expected to take roughly three months, which makes a return during the 2026 season unlikely. That distinction matters: injured reserve guarantees only a minimum absence, but the reported treatment window is the useful guide for fantasy roster decisions.
Fballer verdict: Use an IR slot if your league offers one. In redraft leagues without IR, it is reasonable to release Hurts after securing a replacement. Dynasty and keeper managers should hold.
Is Tanner McKee worth adding?
McKee completed 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his first 2026 start, a 25–14 loss to Carolina. The clean box-score element was ball security. The concern was efficiency: 4.8 yards per attempt, three sacks and an offense that struggled until McKee concentrated targets on DeVonta Smith in the fourth quarter.
Superflex and two-QB
PRIORITY ADDA starting NFL quarterback belongs on a roster in these formats. McKee has enough passing volume and job security to carry QB2 value, even if the offense remains inefficient.
The move: Add now. He is more valuable than a speculative backup who needs an injury to play.
One-quarterback leagues
MATCHUP STREAMMcKee did not add meaningful rushing production in Week 6, so he needs passing yards and touchdowns to reach a useful ceiling. Philadelphia also entered Week 7 near the bottom of the league in yards, scoring and drive efficiency.
The move: Keep him behind established top-12 options. Use the live quarterback wire to compare alternatives.
Dynasty leagues
HOLD / SELL WINDOWMcKee now has a multi-month audition in a high-profile offense. That creates real trade value without guaranteeing he becomes a long-term starter.
The move: Contenders can use him as a QB2. Rebuilders should listen if a quarterback-needy manager prices him like more than a temporary starter.
How does the quarterback change affect Eagles skill players?
Saquon Barkley
HOLD / START IF ACTIVEBarkley returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Philadelphia's official preview noted that Dallas entered Week 7 last in rushing yards allowed, at nearly 150 per game.
McKee lowers the offense's overall touchdown expectation, but Hurts' absence also removes the quarterback run from the goal-line distribution. If Barkley is active without a stated snap limit, volume and matchup keep him in lineups.
Week 7 move: Track Friday and Saturday participation. Because the Eagles play Monday, keep a late-game replacement available.
DeVonta Smith
VOLUME WR2/3Smith finished McKee's first start with seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. Five receptions, 53 yards and the score came in the fourth quarter as McKee leaned on his best separator.
The target concentration can survive the quarterback downgrade, but Thursday's missed practice with a hamstring injury adds Week 7 risk. Smith remains a hold; his weekly ceiling is simply less secure.
Week 7 move: Start if cleared. If he remains limited Saturday, pair him with a Monday alternative rather than waiting without protection.
Dallas Goedert
HOLD / MONITORA less mobile quarterback can increase the value of quick, middle-of-field throws, which keeps Goedert's role attractive. The problem this week is his own knee injury: he did not practice Thursday.
The move: Hold when healthy, but prepare a Week 7 replacement. Grant Calcaterra practiced fully Thursday and is the direct Eagles contingency.
Marquise Brown and secondary receivers
WATCH LISTBrown practiced fully Thursday while Smith and Dontayvion Wicks did not practice. That puts Brown on the short list of Monday-night fallback options, but the backup quarterback and crowded injury picture make him a volatile start.
The move: Add only when you need late-week insurance or play in a deeper league. Check the wide-receiver wire first.
The biggest change: fewer rushing points at quarterback
Hurts' fantasy value has never depended only on passing. McKee does not replace the designed rushing work or the short-yardage touchdown equity that made Hurts an elite weekly option. Managers should not chase a one-for-one replacement because one probably does not exist on waivers.
The better approach is to replace the position by format: prioritize a stable top-15 passer in one-QB leagues, secure any active starter in Superflex, and recover lost ceiling elsewhere by favoring upside at flex rather than forcing McKee into an unrealistic projection.
Week 7 decision checklist
- Move Hurts to IR before making a drop anywhere else.
- Add McKee aggressively in Superflex; treat him as a streamer in one-QB.
- Recheck the Eagles' Saturday injury report for Barkley, Smith and Goedert.
- Keep Monday players in the flex whenever possible to preserve replacement choices.
- Use the Week 7 claim board if you still need a quarterback or flex replacement.
Bottom line
Hurts' absence changes the structure of the Eagles offense and removes an elite fantasy quarterback from the 2026 equation. McKee is valuable because he is starting, not because his first performance showed an immediate QB1 ceiling. Smith can retain volume, Barkley becomes even more important when healthy, and Goedert remains useful once his knee permits. The right move is to secure quarterback stability now and lower the scoring expectations for Philadelphia's offense without abandoning its best players.
Sources and update policy
This article reflects official team and league information available at 4:00 a.m. Pacific on Friday, October 23, 2026. Philadelphia plays Dallas on Monday, so final Week 7 game designations are expected after Saturday practice.