Jalen Hurts has remained highly durable since taking over as the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2021, never missing more than two games in a single season. However, that streak has come to an end after Hurts was diagnosed with blood clots, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.
The Eagles are facing increasing scrutiny over how they handled Hurts’ medical situation. Though the NFL has defended the decisions made throughout the process, its explanation has sparked criticism from several NFL figures, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe.
Shannon Sharpe Questions NFL’s Handling of Jalen Hurts’ Blood Clot Diagnosis
The NFL said it will not penalize the Eagles for their handling of the process surrounding Hurts’ medical clearance before their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The league determined that the Eagles did not violate its injury report policy despite the questions raised about the quarterback’s health.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the NFL explained that league officials had remained in contact with the Eagles’ medical staff and Cleveland Clinic London throughout Hurts’ treatment. The league also clarified that Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills coordinates medical resources with leading healthcare providers in international markets, with approval from the NFL Players Association.
However, the NFL’s explanation did little to satisfy Sharpe, who strongly criticized the league’s response to the situation in the latest episode of the “Nightcap” podcast.
“I love the NFL… but I hate when they do this,” Sharpe said. “Don’t do this.”
Sharpe added that he was incensed that Dr. Sills “got on the box” to try to say that the NFL would not let something that egregious happen knowingly.
“If I’m not mistaken, the way I read it is that you wait till you get to London to do the MRI, and then you’re like, ‘Oh, okay.’ Tell me the professional says that you should be flying even with a superficial blood clot. Wouldn’t you think you would let him clear that up? Because knowing that it could travel to your lungs, it could travel to your heart.
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“They know they’re under the gun.”
Cincinnati Bengals legend Chad Ochocinco added that even if they’re not medical professionals, the information is out there for anyone to read, seconding Sharpe’s point that the league is feeling enough heat to come out and clear the air.
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The criticism centered on how Hurts’ condition was managed before his diagnosis became public, particularly the decision to allow him to play in the Eagles’ Week 5 game in London despite the initial discovery of a blood clot in his calf.
Hurts reportedly spent time at a London hospital late at night after the blood clot was discovered. He reportedly returned to the team hotel at approximately 3 a.m. local time and slept until the team departed for the stadium at 10:30 a.m.
The timeline raised questions about the amount of rest Hurts received before the game, and the decisions surrounding his medical clearance.
Hurts later traveled back to the United States with the Eagles before being placed on injured reserve. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni previously declined to provide specific details about why Hurts was allowed to play against the Jaguars following the diagnosis. However, he maintained that the franchise prioritizes the well-being of its players.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.