The NFL Players Association is calling for a “full investigation” into how the NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles handled the medical care of quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Hurts played for the Eagles in the team’s Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, after being diagnosed with a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf. However, after being ruled out for the team’s Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers, it was announced that Hurts was undergoing treatment for a deep vein thrombosis, and bilateral pulmonary emboli, and his treatment included blood thinners.
It is expected that Hurts will miss the rest of the season.
On Tuesday, league officials defended how the Eagles quarterback was treated medically while in London.
“The notion that there’s external factors that any of our physicians would put a player in harm’s way — that’s nonsense,” said NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills. It was also reported that the league would not punish the Eagles for how Hurts’ medical situation was handled, and that the NFL had determined that the team did not violate league policy.
However, the NFLPA is not satisfied with that assessment, and on Tuesday evening released a statement calling for a “full investigation” into how his care was handled:
“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts. In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received. Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”
Hurts was hospitalized in London the night prior to the game against the Jaguars, returning to the team hotel at 3 a.m. local time. According to reports, he was able to sleep until the team left for the stadium at 10:30 a.m. for the game against Jacksonville.
This is a developing story and will be updated.