Why Hurts played with blood clot and what it means for NFL — SkimNews
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- Jalen Hurts was cleared to play Jacksonville on 11 October after an ultrasound at Cleveland Clinic found a superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf; he completed the game, was cleared to fly home and was recommended another ultrasound within 72 hours. His agent later disputed reports that he had gone 36 hours without sleep, confirming rest at the hotel and stadium.
- Eagles and Hurts' agent said on 19 October that follow-up tests found deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli; Hurts will receive blood-thinning medicine, is expected to make a full recovery and will miss the rest of the season. A 14 October ultrasound had shown the clot had moved, and he was ruled out of the next game.
- Allen Sills, the NFL's chief medical officer, said the league has protocols for concussions, emergency preparedness and extreme heat but none for situations like Hurts; he called the handling "incredibly conservative," expressed "complete confidence" in the Eagles and said the later outcome alone did not prove the process flawed.
- NFLPA called for a full investigation, noting the NFL had previously told the union it did not plan to review Hurts' care; the league and union later issued a joint statement saying they were "working together to review the matter."
- Niko Mihic, Real Madrid's chief medical officer and local co-ordinator for the NFL's 8 November Madrid game, said blood clots among athletes are uncommon and decisions about activity, rest and long-haul flights are case-by-case; he recalled one baseball player requiring three visits for diagnosis.
- NFL has a record nine international games this year and ultimately wants 16 per season; union executive director JC Tretter cited a 16-hour flight for Australia's first NFL game and field-quality concerns in Brazil, saying growth must maintain player-safety standards.
- Tanner McKee was unable to prevent a 38-21 home loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, extending the Eagles to five consecutive defeats—the longest losing streak under coach Nick Sirianni—with no experienced reserve quarterback available.
Why it matters: The NFL and NFLPA's joint review puts the league's handling of long-haul travel under scrutiny as it runs nine international games this year and ultimately wants 16 per season; Philadelphia's immediate burden is a five-game losing streak with no experienced backup quarterback available.
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