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Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ superficial blood clot in his calf could sideline him for at least 45 days if his course of treatment includes blood thinners, according to multiple doctors.
“A lot of times, what we’re doing, is kind of following people closely over time,” Dr. Jordan Schaefer, a hematologist at the University of Michigan Health System and associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, told USA TODAY Sports of potential treatment options.
“It’s not like a one-time visit and then you’re done. It’s often reassessment in how you’re feeling and a physical of how the leg looks. Is that swelling and redness and exam getting better?”
Schaefer said if Hurts is being treated with blood thinners, the quarterback’s recovery timeline would be more complicated because football is a contact sport.
Blood-thinning medications increase the risk of serious bleeding with traumatic injuries, including internal bleeding.
The Eagles said Hurts will be out against the Panthers on Sunday “as we determine the appropriate course of treatment.”
Dr. Ryan Schreiter, a clinical orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician at Temple University, weighed in on Hurts’ timeline for recovery during an appearance Thursday on SportsRadio 94WIP.
“I think this is going to be the downer … it’s usually 45 days to potentially three months on oral anticoagulants [blood thinners] and that is to make sure that that blood clot goes away,” Schreiter said.
“… He was obviously symptomatic because he went in. I don’t know Jalen personally but it must be pretty bad if he’s going in and saying, ‘Hey this isn’t right.’
“Because calf injuries happen all the time — strains, he gets hit. I think that cleat that he got, it was in the Rams game [Oct. 4], right? … it could have injured oddly one of those superficial veins.”
The Eagles said in a Thursday statement that Hurts first reported issues with his calf on Oct. 8 after he was cleated during Philadelphia’s Week 4 loss to the Rams.
A “superficial blood clot” was discovered during an evaluation Saturday before the Eagles’ loss to the Jaguars in London — and the team said medical staff and doctors determined that “Jalen could safely play” against Jacksonville.
“Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play,” the Eagles said. “Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.
“Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter.”
A follow-up exam Wednesday “revealed movement in the small blood clot,” the team said.
Hurts completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 19-17 loss to the Jaguars.
Backup Tanner McKee will replace Hurts.