The NFL is taking another look at how the Philadelphia Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis, just days after league officials defended the team’s medical decisions and indicated that no disciplinary action was necessary.
According to The Associated Press, the NFL and NFL Players Association confirmed Sunday, October 25, that they are working together to review the medical care Hurts received before and after he was cleared to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“The NFL and NFL Players Association are working together to review the matter,” the organizations said in a joint statement.
The announcement follows mounting pressure from the players’ union, which questioned why the league had seemingly reached a conclusion about the Eagles’ medical decisions without conducting a formal investigation.
“Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred,” the union stated. “Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”
According to CBS Philadelphia, the NFLPA previously said the league had informed the union that it did not intend to review Hurts’ treatment. The Associated Press also reported that Philadelphia would not face disciplinary action.
NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills publicly supported the Eagles’ handling of the situation during the league’s annual fall meeting on October 20.
“We don’t have protocol about this,” Sills said. “I have complete confidence in the Eagles’ medical staff and their handling of this situation.”
Sills explained that the league does not have a specific blood clot protocol comparable to its concussion guidelines. He maintained that Philadelphia’s medical staff acted cautiously and prioritized Hurts’ health throughout the process.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also defended the medical decisions while acknowledging the union’s right to request further examination.
“Obviously, there was a medical evaluation, and I think our protocols were incredibly good there. The protocols were followed,” Goodell said.
The controversy centers on a series of medical developments that began earlier this month.
According to the Eagles’ October 15 statement, Hurts suffered a calf injury after being struck by a cleat during Philadelphia’s October 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.
He reported discomfort to the team’s medical staff on October 8 and continued practicing before traveling to London.
An ultrasound performed October 10 revealed a superficial blood clot in his left calf. Philadelphia’s medical personnel and doctors in London reviewed the results and determined that Hurts could safely participate in the following day’s game.
Despite the diagnosis, Hurts started against Jacksonville on October 11, completing 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown in the Eagles’ 19 to 17 loss.
The team subsequently returned to Philadelphia, where Hurts received additional treatment. A follow-up ultrasound on October 14 revealed movement in the clot, prompting the Eagles to rule him out of their next matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The situation became more serious when the Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, announced October 19 that further testing had revealed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots were present in both lungs.
The 28-year-old quarterback was described as clinically stable, with doctors expecting a full recovery.
However, Hurts is now receiving anticoagulant medication, commonly called blood thinners, and is expected to miss the remainder of the NFL season.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anticoagulants help prevent existing clots from growing and reduce the risk of additional clots forming. These medications also increase bleeding risks, making contact sports particularly dangerous during treatment.
The controversy has also reached Capitol Hill.
Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester sent Goodell a letter requesting information about the NFL’s blood clot guidelines, medical clearance procedures, and safeguards surrounding international travel.
The issue is personal for Blunt Rochester, whose husband, Charles Rochester, died at 52 after developing blood clots following a basketball injury.
Her letter also requested information about whether the league would conduct a thorough review of Hurts’ treatment and the decisions allowing him to play and travel.
According to Bleacher Report, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that discussions between the league and union have begun to determine how the investigation will proceed.
Neither organization has publicly announced a completion date or findings from the joint review.
