NFL Clears Eagles After Review of Jalen Hurts’ Blood Clot Case

WHO:

Newsweek - Colorado coach Deion Sanders sent Jalen Hurts a message of support, drawing on his own health battles.

Heavy NFL - Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown sent Hurts a message after learning the extent of his diagnosis.

Pro Football Network - Boomer Esiason defended Eagles coach Nick Sirianni over the team’s handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots and blamed the owner, general manager and medical staff.

Pro Football Network - LeSean McCoy argued that other star quarterbacks, including Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, would have been treated differently in the same situation.

Pro Football Network - Jeff Saturday criticized the Eagles for having Sirianni answer questions about Hurts’ medical situation.

Pro Football Network - Emmanuel Acho questioned the Eagles’ medical decisions and called for answers from the team’s medical staff.

Pro Football Network - T.J. Houshmandzadeh criticized the Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ health situation and called for independent doctors to oversee players’ care.

Pro Football Network - Joe Banner criticized people using Hurts’ medical situation to attack the Eagles or celebrate the quarterback’s toughness.

CNN - Eagles right tackle Taylor Moton missed part of a season after blood clots were found in his lung.

CNN - NBA star Chris Bosh retired because of a clotting condition.

CBS News - CBS News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook, who was not treating Hurts, discussed the diagnosis on “CBS Mornings.”

CBS News - NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson faced criticism for suggesting Hurts was faking his injury; he later issued a public apology.

US Magazine - Hurts’ mother, Pamela Hurts, said, “Be grateful for where you are and what you have because your life could change at the blink of an eye.”

CNN - Medical experts quoted included Dr. Parth Rali, a pulmonary critical care expert, and Dr. Syed T. Zaidi, a vascular surgeon at Orlando Health.

CNN - Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman did not make themselves available for comment.

NBC News - The Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts were the subjects of the NFL’s review of the team’s handling of Hurts’ blood clots.

Fox News - The NFL and the Philadelphia Eagles were involved in the review; Hurts was diagnosed with blood clots.

CBS News - Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, and the Eagles said Hurts’ prognosis was “very good” and they anticipated a full recovery.

CBS News - Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said, “I’m not a medical expert. I lean on our guys in all those situations, right? I’m a football coach,” and said he had “full trust and full faith” in the medical experts.

WHAT:

CNN - Eagles and Hurts’ agent said their statements were issued in the “interest of transparency.”

CNN - Bilateral pulmonary emboli mean clots are blocking arteries in both lungs.

CNN - NFL players who are taking blood thinners are at high risk of bleeding during contact sports; doctors generally require at least three months of treatment for a clot.

CBS News - NFL insiders reported that Hurts was ordered to stay awake overnight after his superficial left-calf clot was diagnosed and did not sleep for roughly 36 hours.

CBS News - The International Air Transport Association says people with DVT should wait at least five days before flying if stable; the British Thoracic Society advises waiting two weeks after DVT or pulmonary embolism.

CNN - Dr. Parth Rali said calf pain that does not improve with stretching and hydration after about five days can be a reason to seek evaluation for a clot.

CNN - The CDC says extended limited mobility during long-distance travel can increase travelers’ risk of venous thromboembolism.

CNN - CNN reported that San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama missed 30 games in the 2024–25 season because of deep vein thrombosis.

CNN - The Eagles said Hurts’ calf clot was first identified as superficial vein thrombosis after an ultrasound in London; a later ultrasound showed “small movement” in the clot, after which he was ruled out against the Carolina Panthers.

CNN - Hurts’ calf injury may have resulted from another player stepping on him with a cleat during the Eagles’ game against the Los Angeles Rams.

CNN - Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said, “I miss him,” and declined to discuss his private conversations with Hurts.

CNN - Hurts was named Super Bowl MVP about 20 months before the article.

CNN - The Eagles and Hurts’ agent released two statements about his injury and treatment within four days, citing the “interest of transparency.”

CNN - Doctors typically follow up on a superficial clot with a scan a week or two later to check whether it has grown or moved.

CNN - People with pulmonary emboli may need blood thinners for three to six months; taking them increases bleeding risk, particularly during contact sports.

CBS News - LaPook said it was “too soon to know” whether Hurts’ condition could end his career.

CBS News - LaPook said Hurts’ doctors may test his blood after treatment to check for an issue that increases clotting risk.

CNN - The Eagles had lost four consecutive games, their worst losing streak in Nick Sirianni’s six seasons as coach.

CNN - The CDC estimates 60,000 to 100,000 people in the United States die annually from venous thromboembolism; nearly 900,000 are diagnosed with a blood clot in the leg or lung each year.

CNN - Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said the medical team had “helped 21 of 22 guys be available for the Super Bowl.”

CNN - Other professional athletes cited as having blood-clot cases included Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Ingram, and Serena Williams; Wembanyama’s clot was in his shoulder, as was Ingram’s.

NBC News - An NFL spokesperson said the Eagles would not be disciplined for their handling of Hurts’ blood clots.

Fox News - The NFL closed its review of how the Eagles handled Hurts’ blood-clot situation before the London game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Newsweek - The NFL reportedly concluded Hurts’ blood-clot scare was “handled appropriately.”

CBS News - Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli: clots in his left leg and both lungs. The Eagles said he could miss the rest of the season.

CBS News - Hurts played in London against the Jaguars, throwing for 222 yards and one touchdown; Philadelphia lost 19–17.

CBS News - The Eagles and Lynn said Hurts would remain active around the team and continue conditioning, and anticipated he could resume contact football after stopping blood thinners.

CNN - The Eagles said doctors found superficial vein thrombosis in Hurts’ left calf in London. After two days of treatment and a practice session, an ultrasound showed “small movement” in the clot; the team then ruled him out against the Carolina Panthers.

WHERE:

Fox News - The review concerned the Eagles’ handling of Hurts before the London Jaguars game.

CNN - Hurts traveled from Philadelphia to London and back to Philadelphia.

WHEN:

Heavy NFL - A.J. Brown sent his message Tuesday, October 20.

CBS News - The Eagles and Lynn announced Hurts’ diagnosis and expected long absence in a statement on Monday.

CBS News - Doctors were expected to monitor Hurts’ progress over three months while he took blood thinners.

Fox News - The NFL closed its review; the article does not give a specific date for the decision.

WHY:

CNN - The Eagles said doctors concluded that “activity and movement were important” after finding the superficial clot in Hurts’ calf.

CBS News - The NFL review concerned whether the Eagles appropriately handled Hurts’ blood-clot situation before the London game.

HOW:

CNN - Doctors may use catheters to dissolve or remove lung clots; in some cases, surgery may be needed to open the heart and remove a clot.

CNN - To reduce DVT risk while seated on a long flight, Dr. Syed T. Zaidi recommended calf pumps; the article also advises getting up and walking about once an hour when possible.

CNN - For mild superficial clots, treatment may include warm compresses, leg elevation, pain relievers such as ibuprofen, staying active, and compression socks or an elastic bandage.

CNN - CNN cited pulmonary embolism warning signs including chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing, sudden shortness of breath, blood-streaked mucus, faintness, and confusion.

CNN - The International Air Transport Association says travelers with a recent leg DVT may fly once asymptomatic and stable on anticoagulants; the British Thoracic Society advises waiting two weeks after DVT or pulmonary embolism.

NBC News - The NFL communicated its decision through a spokesperson.

CBS News - The Eagles and Hurts’ agent announced the diagnosis and recovery outlook in a joint statement.

CBS News - Hurts’ treatment included blood thinners; the statement said doctors would evaluate his recovery before he returned to contact football.

The NFL has closed its review of how the Philadelphia Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, finding the team acted appropriately and will not face discipline. The Eagles said Hurts was diagnosed with a clot in his left calf and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning clots in both lungs, and warned he could miss the rest of the season. His agent and the team said his prognosis was very good and anticipated a full recovery. The Eagles first identified a superficial calf clot in London; a later ultrasound showed movement, prompting them to rule him out against Carolina. Blood thinners can increase bleeding risks in contact sports, and treatment for clots may last months. Coach Nick Sirianni said he trusted the medical staff, while critics called for greater accountability. Deion Sanders and A.J. Brown sent Hurts messages of support, and his mother urged gratitude for life’s uncertainty.