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The NFL ruled that the Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ developing medical situation involving blood clots “appropriately” that ended his season and will not punish the team, according to The Athletic.
Hurts played in the Oct. 11 loss to the Jaguars in London without an injury designation despite the reveal of a blood clot in his left calf, although he had been flagged on the report with a calf injury.
The quarterback since has landed on injured reserve and reportedly will be sidelined at least three months after further testing revealed blood clots on his lungs.
The NFL communicated with the Eagles and their medical staff regarding the situation and ultimately determined the team did not violate league policies on injury report designation.
Hurts’ scary medical situation came to light last Thursday when the team announced he would miss the home game against the Panthers due to a blood clot in his left calf.
The team’s statement said Hurts requested treatment on his calf on Oct. 8, four days after being cleated during the Oct. 4 home loss to the Rams.
He received treatment that Friday, practiced in full and was added to the injury report, although he did not receive an injury designation since the team expected to play his full snaps allotment.
Hurts then underwent an ultrasound that Saturday before the Jaguars clash that revealed a superficial blood clot.
Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical doctor, worked with the EPL’s chief medical offer, Mark Gillett, to have Hurts examined at the Cleveland Clinic in London, per The Athletic.
Team and London doctors ruled that “activity and mobility were important” and he could “safely play.”
“The league had been in contact throughout the process with the Eagles medical personnel, and the Cleveland Clinic in London where the tests were conducted,” the NFL said in a statement to The Post, per a spokesperson. “The league’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills arranges for medical resources with leading providers in every international market with approval from the NFL Players Association.
“Medical care for players is provided by club medical staff in coordination with independent doctors.”
Hurts reportedly returned from the hospital around 2:45 a.m. and slept for roughly seven hours before starting the 19-17 loss.
“The health of our players is always at the forefront of our minds, and we leave that up to the medical experts, but we always, always care deeply about our players,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said about Hurts playing. “When you are completely focused on togetherness and connection, you’re always thinking about the well-being of your guys, and that’s where we were in that situation.”
The star quarterback received treatment Monday and Tuesday before his follow-up ultrasound Wednesday “revealed movement in the small blood clot,” and the team’s release said it had been in communication with the NFL regarding the issue.
Two days later, the team placed Hurts on injured reserve, sidelining him for a minimum of four games.
On Monday, the team and Hurts’ agent Nicole Lynn released a statement revealing that what had been initially ruled a “left calf superficial vein thrombosis” — a blood clot in the left calf — had become a “deep vein thrombosis” plus a “bilateral pulmonary emobli,” which are blood clots on the lungs.
The three-month timeline reported by ESPN means Hurt could return during the middle of the playoffs in a best-case scenario.
“He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations. His treatment should only involve anticoagulation [i.e., ‘blood thinners’],” the release said. “During this time, he will not be allowed to participate in any contact activities, including football. Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery. We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when off the blood thinners. In the meantime, he will remain active around the team and continue to condition. More importantly, we anticipate that he will have no long-term effects.”
Whether Hurts plays again will be determined by whether he needs to remain on blood thinners, although the release Monday indicates they believe he will be able to continue his career.