The NFL has strongly supported the Philadelphia Eagles’ management of quarterback Jalen Hurts’s blood clot issue, with the players’ union later calling for an inquiry into the matter. A source confirmed that the Eagles will not face any disciplinary action for their handling of Hurts. The NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, defended the Eagles’ approach to treating Hurts, emphasizing their cautious and patient-centered care throughout the process. The league revealed that they stayed in touch with the Eagles’ medical team and the Cleveland Clinic in London, England, during the ordeal.
The NFL Players Association released a statement stating that the league had no plans for a review. They emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions about the handling of the situation to ensure players’ well-being in the future. Hurts is expected to sit out the remainder of the season due to a blood clot that traveled from his left calf to his lungs, resulting in deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolisms.
NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller disputed reports of Hurts going without sleep for over 30 hours before playing, stating that Hurts had rested for around seven to eight hours before the game. Dr. Caron Rockman, a vascular surgeon, noted that the Eagles appeared to have made a judgment call in dealing with the complex issue, emphasizing the individual nature of such cases. Hurts will continue treatment with blood thinners and must refrain from football activities until he completes the regimen.
Hurts informed the medical staff of his injury after practice and played in London on Oct. 11 against Jacksonville. Sills emphasized that the decisions made regarding Hurts were prioritizing medical concerns over football, with a focus on caution and patient safety.
