NFL Officials Defend Medical Process Following Jalen Hurts Blood Clot Diagnosis

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the season after doctors discovered bilateral pulmonary emboli following a Week 5 game in London.

NFL Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills and executive vice president Jeff Miller defended the Philadelphia Eagles' medical protocols Tuesday at the league owners meetings in New York. The 28-year-old quarterback, Jalen Hurts, is expected to miss the remainder of the season to undergo approximately three months of treatment involving blood thinners. The three-time Pro Bowler was initially cleared to play in the Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after being diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf.

Following the game in London, doctors discovered multiple blood clots in the quarterback's lungs. Agent Nicole Lynn and the Eagles confirmed in a joint statement that Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, indicating a clot traveled from his leg to his lungs. Sills characterized the team's approach as "appropriately guarded" and "patient-focused," noting that the league remained in contact with Eagles medical personnel and Cleveland Clinic London throughout the treatment process.

The NFL will not punish the Eagles for their handling of the situation. Miller dismissed external speculation regarding the decision to let Hurts play as "uninformed" and "unfounded." Sills noted that the league has tracked blood-clot cases for a decade, typically seeing a handful of instances each season. While Hurts flew home from London with a superficial clot, Sills stated that flight thresholds depend on the specific nuances of each medical case.