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As Jalen Hurts’ condition was revealed and the quarterback was ruled out for the season with blood clots in his lungs Monday, many were quick to wonder what his future looks like.
The Post spoke with two medical experts Tuesday, who both predicted it seems like a recoverable condition for the quarterback and he will be able to return to play as soon as he is off blood thinners.
However, there are still unknowns that surround the condition that could affect his recovery.
Prior to the Eagles’ loss to the Jaguars in London on Oct. 11, Hurts was diagnosed with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis, which is a blood clot in the left calf, after undergoing an ultrasound.
The 28-year-old was cleared to play despite logging little sleep.
Upon further testing, he was later diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, which are blood clots on the lungs.
Hurts will receive blood thinners while undergoing treatment, which prohibits him from playing.
The minimum timeline for being on blood thinners is typically three months but can extend to six months if the person is at higher risk of developing another deep vain thrombosis, Dr. William Shutze, Society for Vascular Surgery vice president and vascular surgeon at Texas Vascular Associates in Dallas, explained to The Post.
“Once you’re had a blood clot, you are at risk for another one,” Dr. Shutze said. “Some people much higher than others. Most people its going to be very low, but, yes, once you’ve had one, you’re at higher risk of having another one unless you’ve never had one.”
There are three main reasons why blood clots can come up: being immobile for a long period of time (surgery, travel, illness), a clotting disorder and trauma.
Hurts asked for treatment on his calf on Oct. 8 after claiming he was cleated during the Oct. 4 home loss to the Rams.
The cleating would classify as trauma and Dr. Shutze said it typically takes two out of three of those causes to bring up a blood clot. Hurts also went on two seven-hour flights in three days as part of the Eagles’ trip to London.
Dr. Alina Mitina, Emergency Medicine Physician at Hackensack University Medical Center, added that some people can stop blood thinners after three months or six months, while others have to be on them forever if they’re at such high risk for another due to a blood clotting disorder.
If the latter is the case for Hurts, football would be out of the picture.
“It’s not a set thing that he is going to be out forever, not playing. It’s all going to be based on what the treatment looks like and I think it’s just only the beginning,” Dr. Mitina told The Post.
“Being on a blood thinner and falling is extremely dangerous because you can bleed and you can bleed in your head,” she said, while calling the process of part of a blood clot in the leg breaking off and going into the lung “very, very dangerous” and “can even lead to death.”
Dr. Shutze also added it’s not uncommon for a superficial blood clot to become more serious as it did for the Eagles star.
Hurts’ camp seemed optimistic Monday, stating he is not expected to have long-term effects from his condition.
“Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery,” a statement from the team and Hurts’ agent Nicole Lynn read. “We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when off the blood thinners.”
The statement added Hurts will be “active around the team” and “continue to condition” as he recovers.
The scary injury was first revealed when he was ruled out for the Eagles’ loss to the Panthers on Sunday, with the team announcing he had a blood clot in his calf.
He was later put on injured reserve before his season was cut short and his career put into question.
Those clostest to Hurts have spoken out in support, including his mom Pamela Hurts.
“Just a reminder ya’ll, be grateful,” she said in a TikTok video Monday. “Be grateful for where you are and what you have because your life could change at a blink of an eye. Be grateful. What are you grateful for?”
Hurts has been the driving force of the Eagles since 2020.
He led the team to two Super Bowl appearances and a championship win in 2025 in what was a revenge rematch against the Chiefs after losing the Super Bowl to Kansas City in 2023.
Hurts also took home Super Bowl MVP honors.
The Eagles host the Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” in Week 7.