Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, blood clots in both lungs.
Before the diagnosis became public, an ultrasound on Oct. 10 revealed a superficial blood clot. However, the team and local medical staff cleared Hurts to play, and he started the London game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 11.
Head coach Nick Sirianni later defended the medical staff’s handling of the situation during a press conference, drawing criticism from some fans and commentators on social media.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh has now weighed in on the controversy. The former Pro Bowl wide receiver questioned why Hurts was cleared to play in London in the first place and called for greater independent medical oversight in the NFL.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh Slams Eagles’ Handling of Jalen Hurts’ Medical Issue
Speaking on “Speakeasy,” Houshmandzadeh sharply criticized the Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ health scare, arguing that the quarterback’s well-being should have taken priority over football.
“Jalen Hurts could have lost his life,”Houshmandzadeh said. “He could have lost his life over a game of football.”
Houshmandzadeh accused the team doctors of putting the organization’s interests ahead of the quarterback’s health. The former wide receiver also challenged the claim that Hurts’ well-being had guided the team’s decisions, questioning why the Eagles allowed him to take the field.
“The team doctors are doing what’s best for the team. And they’re gonna say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re looking after Jalen.’ Then why did you let him play? Why did you let him sleep for a couple of hours cause when you get to the stadium, you only have two hours roughly before the game,” he said.
“You’re looking after the team, and they are dead wrong,” Houshmandzadeh added. “Number one. He should not have played in London… He probably shouldn’t have gone and taken that trip on the flight when they knew you had blood clots.”
Houshmandzadeh also questioned whether players can fully trust medical decisions made by doctors who work for the team.
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“Now that we have an independent neurologist for concussions, we need an independent doctor for everything,” he concluded.
What the Eagles Have Said About Hurts’ Diagnosis
Philadelphia’s Oct. 15 statement outlined the timeline leading to Hurts’ diagnosis and explained why the team initially cleared him to play.
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Hurts sought treatment for his calf on Oct. 8 after reporting that he had been cleated during the Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams. An ultrasound in London revealed a superficial blood clot. The Eagles said their medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and determined that Hurts could safely suit up.
A follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday night revealed movement in the clot, prompting the team to rule Hurts out for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers.
Further testing revealed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Hurts is clinically stable, with a positive prognosis and a full recovery expected. However, treatment with blood thinners prevents him from playing contact football while taking the medication.
While Hurts is expected to make a full recovery, Houshmandzadeh wants the NFL to reconsider how medical decisions are made when a player’s health is at stake. He believes independent doctors should have a greater role in determining whether players are fit to take the field in such cases.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.