The NFL and NFL Players Association have opened a joint review into the medical handling of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after his blood clot diagnosis ended his season.
Key takeaways
- Hurts has been placed on injured reserve and is not expected to return this season.
- The Eagles quarterback was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli affecting both lungs.
- He is being treated with blood thinners and cannot resume football activity until that medication is no longer required.
- The NFLPA sought an investigation earlier this week, and the league agreed to examine the case.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league’s review indicated required medical procedures were followed.
League and union begin review
The league and players’ union announced Sunday that they will work together to examine how Hurts’ condition was evaluated and managed. The move follows the NFLPA’s request for a review after the Eagles confirmed the quarterback’s diagnosis.
Hurts suffered a blood clot in his left calf that later traveled to his lungs. The team and his agent, Nicole Lynn, said Monday that the Super Bowl LIX MVP had deep vein thrombosis along with bilateral pulmonary emboli.
His recovery includes treatment with blood-thinning medication. Because of the risks involved, Hurts is barred from taking part in football-related activities until he has stopped taking the medication.
Timeline of the calf injury
The Eagles said Hurts was struck in the calf by a cleat during their Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. He reported the issue to the club’s medical personnel following practice on Oct. 8.
He returned to practice the following day before Philadelphia departed for London for its game against Jacksonville. Specialists in London initially diagnosed a superficial-vein thrombosis in his left calf, and Hurts then played against the Jaguars on Oct. 11.
Goodell said earlier this week that the NFL was open to reviewing the matter, while maintaining that the available information supported the Eagles’ medical process. He said the league’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, had examined the situation and believed established procedures had been carried out.
