NFL and NFLPA to Review Philadelphia Eagles' Handling of Jalen Hurts' Blood Clots

A joint review by the NFL and the NFL Players Association will evaluate how the Philadelphia Eagles medical staff handled quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clot diagnosis. NFL executive Jeff Miller outlined the upcoming investigation in a Nov. 6 letter to U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, confirming that mutually agreed-upon independent specialists will analyze the case and present their findings to both organizations.

The 28-year-old quarterback informed team medical personnel on Oct. 8 about a calf cleat injury sustained four days prior against the Los Angeles Rams. Although an initial ultrasound in London revealed a superficial blood clot in his left calf, medical staff cleared him to play in an Oct. 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. A subsequent ultrasound on Oct. 14 indicated the clot had shifted, leading the team to place him on injured reserve on Oct. 17. Days later, the team and his agent confirmed that Hurts suffered from deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, requiring blood thinners and an expected absence for the remainder of the season.

Sen. Blunt Rochester subsequently wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seeking clarification on league-wide protocols for detecting, preventing, and treating clotting disorders. Miller stated that following the conclusion of the independent evaluation, the league and the union will determine whether further league-wide guidelines are necessary.

What to watch next: The final recommendations from the joint independent medical review panel and potential updates to league health and safety protocols regarding clotting conditions.