The short version
- Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season after tests revealed blood clots in both lungs.
- The incident has triggered a joint review by the NFL and the players union regarding medical decision-making during overseas games.
- League officials maintain that initial care was conservative, while critics point to the lack of specific protocols for such injuries.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will likely not play again this season after medical examinations confirmed the presence of multiple blood clots in his lungs. The diagnosis marks a severe escalation from an earlier finding of a superficial clot in his calf, which was identified just before he participated in a regular-season game in London. The situation has drawn intense scrutiny regarding how the National Football League manages player health during its international series, particularly when standard domestic protocols do not explicitly cover such medical emergencies.
The timeline of events began on October 4, when Hurts suffered an injury to his left calf after another player stepped on it during a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He completed that game but reported issues to team staff four days later. Throughout the following week, he participated in full practice sessions and received treatment. Upon arriving in London for the matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hurts visited the Cleveland Clinic, an American-owned facility that provides sports medicine services for NFL games abroad. An ultrasound conducted there detected a superficial vein thrombosis in his calf.
Despite the diagnosis, medical staff cleared Hurts to play on October 11. He returned to the team hotel in the early hours of the morning before taking the field for the full contest. Post-game protocols recommended a follow-up ultrasound within seventy-two hours, and he was deemed safe to fly back to the United States immediately after the match. During the game, Hurts threw for two hundred twenty yards and one touchdown but limited his rushing attempts to just two carries for two yards. The Jaguars ultimately defeated the Eagles nineteen to seventeen in the final moments of play.
Complications arose shortly after the team returned home. After receiving daily treatment, Hurts underwent another ultrasound on October 14, which indicated that the clot had moved. He was subsequently ruled out for the following week’s game. Further testing on October 19 revealed a more serious condition: deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. This life-threatening condition requires immediate intervention with blood-thinning medication. While medical professionals expect Hurts to make a full recovery, the severity of the lung involvement necessitates his absence for the remainder of the season.
The handling of Hurts’ initial diagnosis has become a focal point for debate within the league. Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, was present in London and coordinated the evaluation at the Cleveland Clinic. Speaking publicly, Sills expressed complete confidence in the care provided by the Eagles’ medical staff, describing their approach as incredibly conservative. He noted that the league does not have a specific protocol for blood clots, unlike established guidelines for concussions or extreme heat. Sills argued that the subsequent development of pulmonary emboli does not necessarily indicate a flaw in the initial process, emphasizing that medicine often involves unpredictable outcomes despite correct procedures.
Conversely, the NFL Players Association initially called for a full investigation into the matter. The union highlighted concerns that the league had previously stated it did not plan to review the care Hurts received. This stance created tension between player representatives and league officials regarding transparency and accountability in medical decisions. However, the two parties later issued a joint statement confirming they are working together to review the incident. This collaborative approach suggests an effort to address systemic gaps without assigning immediate blame.
Medical experts note that blood clots are not commonly associated with typical sports injuries, making diagnosis challenging. Dr. Niko Mihic, chief medical officer for Real Madrid and the local coordinator for the NFL’s upcoming game in Madrid, explained that such conditions often require multiple visits to identify. He emphasized that decisions regarding rest, activity, and travel safety involve significant judgment calls rather than rigid rules. The complexity of these cases means that medical teams must balance immediate symptoms with potential risks, a process that can appear contradictory to outside observers.
As the NFL prepares for its next international fixture in Madrid on November 8, league officials are revisiting medical preparations. Discussions are expected to include scenarios similar to Hurts’ case, aiming to refine how overseas games handle unexpected health crises. The absence of a dedicated protocol for thrombosis has left teams reliant on general emergency preparedness plans and the discretion of local medical partners. This gap in policy has become evident as the league expands its global footprint, raising questions about whether current frameworks are sufficient for diverse medical emergencies.
The incident also underscores the physical toll placed on athletes during high-stakes competitions. Early reports suggested Hurts had not slept for thirty-six hours before playing in London, but his agent later clarified that he did rest at both the hotel and the stadium. Regardless of sleep patterns, the progression from a superficial calf clot to bilateral pulmonary emboli highlights the rapid deterioration possible in such conditions. The league’s committee responsible for reviewing these cases will likely examine whether earlier interventions could have prevented the complication.
For the Philadelphia Eagles, losing their starting quarterback late in the season presents significant strategic challenges. Hurts has led the team to two Super Bowl appearances, including a championship victory in 2025. His absence forces the franchise to rely on backup options while navigating a critical stretch of the schedule. Beyond the immediate competitive impact, the situation serves as a cautionary tale for other teams regarding the risks of playing through non-concussion injuries. The joint review by the NFL and the players union may result in updated guidelines that better protect athletes from similar health threats in future seasons.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Why Hurts played with blood clot and what it means for NFL
