Eagles Sign QB Joe Milton Off Cowboys Practice Squad After Jalen Hurts Injury

Joe Milton joins Eagles

Philadelphia signed Joe Milton III from the Cowboys’ practice squad to bolster quarterback depth while Jalen Hurts recovers from a superficial blood clot.

Eagles add Joe Milton to 53-man roster after Hurts ruled out...

The Philadelphia Eagles moved quickly to bolster their quarterback depth on Friday, signing Joe Milton III off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad and adding him to their 53-man roster.

The move comes one day after the team announced that starting quarterback Jalen Hurts is dealing with a superficial blood clot in his calf and has been ruled out for Sunday’s Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers. The Eagles have not provided a clear timeline for Hurts’ return, describing the situation as one where they are determining the appropriate course of treatment.

Why the Eagles Needed Depth Now

With Hurts sidelined indefinitely, the Eagles were left thin at the position. Tanner McKee, a fourth-year quarterback, is expected to start against Carolina. The only other quarterback currently on the roster was fifth-round rookie Cole Payton. The team had released veteran Andy Dalton earlier this month.

Signing Milton gives Philadelphia a more experienced emergency option and adds competition and insurance while the situation with Hurts remains fluid. Under league rules, a player signed off another team’s practice squad must remain on the new team’s active roster for at least three weeks. 

We have signed QB Joe Milton. https://t.co/aeD1VpeZHh

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 16, 2026

Who Is Joe Milton?

Milton, 26, is a 6-foot-5, 236-pound quarterback known for his strong arm and athleticism. The New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee (he also played at Michigan).

He spent his rookie season with the Patriots before the Cowboys acquired him via trade in 2025. In five career regular-season appearances (no starts), Milton has completed 37 of 53 passes (69.8 percent) for 424 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also shown mobility, rushing for roughly 66 yards and one touchdown.

Milton had a strong 2026 preseason with Dallas, completing 29 of 43 passes for 378 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Despite that performance, the Cowboys waived him during final cuts and signed him to the practice squad after Sam Howell won the backup job behind Dak Prescott.

Scouts have long praised Milton’s physical tools particularly his arm talent and ability to create plays outside the pocket while noting that consistency and accuracy remain areas for growth.

What It Means for the Eagles

McKee will handle the starting duties in the short term. He has two previous career starts (both in Week 18 finales) and went 1-1 with solid production in those games. Milton is expected to serve primarily as depth and an emergency option rather than an immediate challenger for playing time.

The timing adds an interesting subplot: the Eagles face the Cowboys in Week 7. Milton could theoretically be available for that matchup against his former team, though any significant role would depend on how quickly he learns the offense and how long Hurts remains out.

The signing also appears to close the door on a potential return of Dalton, who had been the primary backup earlier this season.

Looking Ahead

Philadelphia enters Week 6 at 2-3 and faces a critical stretch with its franchise quarterback’s status uncertain. Adding a young, physically gifted passer like Milton provides a low-risk way to fortify the depth chart without committing major resources.

Whether Milton becomes more than a third-string insurance policy will depend on Hurts’ recovery timeline and McKee’s performance in the interim. For now, the Eagles have addressed an immediate need by poaching a familiar name from a division rival’s practice squad.