NFL defends Eagles over Hurts blood clots; players' union seeks full investigation
In short
The NFL said on Tuesday it was satisfied with how the Philadelphia Eagles handled quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clots, and a person with knowledge of the matter told AP the team will not be disciplined. The NFL Players Association said there must be a full investigation, and said the league told it no review was planned. Hurts is on injured reserve and expected to miss the rest of the season.
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The NFL on Tuesday defended how the Philadelphia Eagles handled quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clots. A person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press that the Eagles were not being disciplined, speaking on condition of anonymity because conversations between the league and team were to remain private. Fox News cited a league source as saying the matter is closed as far as the league is concerned. Newsweek, citing The Athletic's Jonathan Jones, reported the NFL would not punish the Eagles for the medical process or for Hurts not being given an injury designation before the game. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
The Eagles and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, said on Monday that Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. His treatment involves blood thinners, and he will not be allowed to take part in football activities until he is no longer taking them. He is on injured reserve and expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his left calf traveled to his lungs. [ 3 , 6 ]
The Guardian US reported that Hurts was initially diagnosed in London with a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf. He played against Jacksonville in London on 11 October, three days after telling medical staff of the injury following practice. CNN reported that he played every offensive snap and then flew back to Philadelphia, where the further diagnoses were made. Newsweek reported that he went 21-for-40 for 220 passing yards and one touchdown in the 19-17 loss. [ 2 , 6 , 9 ]
In a statement, the NFL said officials had been in contact with the Eagles' medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London throughout the process. It said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills arranges medical resources with leading providers in every international market with the approval of the NFL Players Association. Sills said at the league's annual fall meeting that he had complete confidence in the Eagles' medical staff and described their work as very conservative, very patient-focused and appropriately guarded at every step. CNN reported that NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller rebuked what he called considerable and uninformed speculation, which included reports that Hurts had not slept for 36 hours before the game. [ 3 , 4 , 7 , 9 ]
The NFL Players Association said it was told by the league that a review was not planned. It said that before conclusions are drawn there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Fox News reported that the union was unaware of any NFL investigation, and described this as contradicting league officials who defended the Eagles. Commissioner Roger Goodell said he would welcome an investigation, saying it was part of the league's processes. He said he was unaware of the travel to and from London being a factor and that this was for medical professionals to determine. [ 3 , 7 , 8 ]
The Hill reported that the team faced intensifying criticism, and that medical experts posted videos saying it is extremely dangerous for athletes to play contact sports while taking blood thinners. Coach Nick Sirianni deflected questions about why Hurts was allowed to play and fly home, saying he is not a medical expert and has full trust in the team's medical staff. [ 1 ]
Why it matters
The dispute is about whether a player should have played in London and flown home after a clot was found in his calf. The league and the players' union disagree on whether any review of the Eagles' medical handling exists or is needed.
Key facts
- Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, the Eagles and his agent Nicole Lynn said on Monday; his treatment involves blood thinners. [ 4 , 6 ]
- Hurts is on injured reserve and expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his left calf traveled to his lungs. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Hurts was initially diagnosed in London with a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf and played against the Jacksonville Jaguars on 11 October. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
- A person with knowledge of the situation told AP the Eagles are not being disciplined. [ 3 , 6 ]
- The NFL said it was in contact throughout the process with the Eagles' medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said he had complete confidence in the Eagles' medical staff. [ 3 , 9 ]
- The NFL Players Association called for a full investigation and said the league told it a review was not planned. [ 3 , 7 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Eagles will not be disciplined over their handling of Hurts' blood clots, according to anonymous sources cited by AP, Fox News, Newsweek (citing The Athletic) and an NFL spokesperson cited by NBC News. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The NFL said in a statement that officials were in contact with the Eagles' medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London throughout the process. [ 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 ]
- The NFL Players Association said there must be a full investigation into what occurred. [ 3 , 7 ]
- Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli and is out for the rest of the season. [ 4 , 6 , 9 ]
- Hurts played in the London game after the initial diagnosis of a superficial clot in his calf. [ 1 , 4 , 6 , 9 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the NFL conducted or planned a review of the Eagles' handling. Fox News and Newsweek describe a league review, while the NFLPA said the league told it a review was not planned and Fox News reported the union was unaware of any investigation.
- Whether Hurts was kept awake for 36 hours before the London game. The Hill reported it as reported; NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller criticised reports of this as uninformed speculation, per CNN.
- Whether the travel to and from London played a part in the complications. Goodell said he was unaware of it being a factor and said it was for medical professionals to determine.
- Why Hurts was allowed to play in London. Coach Nick Sirianni deflected questions, saying he leans on the medical staff; Sills referred to shared decision-making, which CNN said seemed to imply Hurts took part in the decision.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- AP reported that the NFL defended the Eagles, that a person with knowledge said the team is not being disciplined, and that the players' union called for an investigation. [ 3 ]
- Fox News reported that a league source confirmed the NFL was satisfied with the Eagles' handling and that no team punishment would result. [ 4 ]
- The Guardian US reported the NFL statement that it had been in contact with the Eagles' medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London. [ 6 ]
- NBC News reported the NFL spokesperson's statement that the Eagles are not being disciplined and the NFLPA statement calling for a full investigation. [ 7 ]
- Fox News reported that the NFLPA said it was unaware of any NFL investigation. [ 8 ]
- CNN reported that Sills defended the Eagles' medical staff at a press conference at the NFL meetings in New York. [ 9 ]