The Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday ruled Jalen Hurts out of Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers with a superficial blood clot in his calf, but NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson suggested there might be more to the story.

Robinson, a former Pro Bowl fullback and Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, floated the idea on “NFL Gameday Kickoff” that Hurts might be pulling himself out of a lost season so the blame won’t land on him.

Michael Robinson Ties Jalen Hurts’ Absence to the Eagles’ Future

The Eagles’ statement noted that Hurts first asked for treatment on Oct. 8, saying he had been cleated in the Oct. 4 loss to the Rams, and doctors cleared him to play in London after an ultrasound there found the clot.

He played without limitation in the 19-17 loss to the Jaguars, going 21 of 40 for 220 yards and a touchdown. Then a follow-up ultrasound Wednesday night showed the clot had moved.

The loss was Philadelphia’s third straight and dropped the Eagles to 2-3, with right tackle Lane Johnson already retired and Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith out in London with hamstring injuries.

Hurts has thrown for 933 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions this season, and his 57.8% completion rate ranks 29th of 31 qualified quarterbacks. He is ranked 27th in Pro Football Network’s NFL QB Impact Score with a season grade of 67.4.

Recent trades, including the deal that sent Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens, have given the Eagles a total of three first-round and three second-round picks across the 2027 and 2028 drafts so far.

Robinson built his theory on that basis, arguing that it gives Philadelphia a reason to consider a quarterback in the draft, and he suggested they could be pinning this season on Hurts as an excuse to move on later.

Hurts’ five-year, $255 million extension runs through 2028, but his guarantees run out after the 2027 season.

Robinson also theorized that Hurts could have a motive of his own, saying that “if I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, and I’m thinking that way, if I’m Jalen Hurts — or anybody in Jalen Hurts’ camp — I’m saying, ‘Well if everybody’s hurt, I’m hurt, too.'”

He added, “To me, it looked like Jalen is kind of getting himself out of the fray so that this lost season … he’s pulling himself out so that this doesn’t look like it’s on me.”

Robinson’s doubts about the clot run counter to how even the archrival Cowboys’ quarterback has talked about it. Dak Prescott called it scary and pointed to the Eagles’ transatlantic trip, saying, “Blood clots, you’re talking about someone’s life, especially with the plane trip and all that they took.”

Robert Griffin III Calls Michael Robinson’s Theory ‘Outrageous’

Heisman winner Robert Griffin III reacted to Robinson’s accusation, calling it “outrageous” and urging an end to negative narratives about Hurts.

“I would never expect this from a former player. I wouldn’t expect this from ANYBODY. Jalen Hurts can’t even have a serious medical condition in peace,” Griffin wrote.

One fan made that same point, writing, “Dude is going through a scary medical situation and still can’t have any peace. Nasty business.”

Another fan wrote that what Robinson said “is insanely evil, but to me, it’s not even unexpected,” and tied it to years of criticism aimed at Hurts.

Two fans went straight to Robinson’s job. One wrote, “Yeah, this monologue is a fireable offense.”

The other wrote, “Did this [expletive] really just say Jalen Hurts is faking a blood clot to avoid criticism? I really hope this is AI, b/c if not this guy should be fired.”

Another fan took issue with the remarks indirectly hitting at Hurts’ reputation, writing that “this some straight BS on Jalen Hurts’ name!”

Another couldn’t believe someone would attack Hurts’ character while conceding that his play has been up and down, writing, “this man is not a quitter. Look at his work over the years and tell me his character speaks to this kind of behavior.”

Coach Nick Sirianni declined to go into detail about Hurts’ health on Friday or say whether the team has settled on a course of treatment, stressing that Hurts’ health comes first.

The Eagles host the Panthers on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, with Tanner McKee expected to start in Hurts’ place.