Eagles Supporters Push Back as Pundits Question Hurts’ Injury Handling

WHO:

Pro Football Network - Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester asked the NFL for answers about its handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots.

Pro Football Network - Super Bowl champion Leonard Fournette called the Eagles “selfish” for allowing Hurts to play with a blood clot that later reached his lungs.

Heavy NFL - Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was ruled out for the season after a blood clot in his calf moved to his lungs; Heavy NFL reported that he was expected to make a full recovery.

Heavy NFL - Tanner McKee took over for Hurts.

NBC Sports - ESPN commentator Chris “Mad Dog” Russo criticized the Eagles and NFL on *First Take*. Stephen A. Smith and other commentators had also criticized the situation on the program.

NBC Sports - Mike Silver of *The Athletic*, a former NFL employee, criticized the Eagles and the league in a column. Silver said that while working for NFL Network and NFL.com, some subjects had been off limits.

NBC Sports - NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills addressed the handling of Hurts. Devin McCourty, a 13-year NFL veteran, discussed the case on *PFT Live*.

Pro Football Network - Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb defended Hurts after criticism of Hurts’ play; an Eagles writer praised McNabb for standing up to pundits.

WHAT:

Pro Football Network - Blunt Rochester asked whether the NFL would review the Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ blood clots.

Sportskeeda - Jason Kelce defended Nick Sirianni and the Eagles’ medical staff amid criticism of the team’s handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots.

Heavy NFL - The Eagles were dealing with four consecutive losses as well as Hurts’ injury.

NBC Sports - Russo said, “the Eagles did a horrendous job,” criticized the NFL’s safety record and stated, “I don’t trust them.” He also called it “ridiculous” to have coach Nick Sirianni answer media questions, saying the team should have sent a trainer or doctor.

NBC Sports - Russo said Hurts was initially expected to miss one game, then four games, before being ruled out for the season. He criticized the NFL’s statement that the Eagles had done nothing wrong.

NBC Sports - Silver wrote that Hurts’ symptoms worsened after he was medically evaluated during an off-site work assignment despite known risk factors. He accused the NFL of being in “full cover-your-ass mode” and criticized its claim that it had handled the situation appropriately.

NBC Sports - Sills described the handling as “very conservative, very patient-focused and appropriately guarded in every step.” McCourty questioned whether that approach should have allowed Hurts to play a full-contact game after spending much of the prior night in hospital for evaluation of a blood clot.

NBC Sports - The NFL owns 10 percent of ESPN and has a content partnership with *The Athletic*, whose articles are posted on NFL.com. NBC Sports said those ties did not prevent criticism from ESPN and *The Athletic* contributors.

NBC Sports - The article said NFL efforts to address brain injuries were compelled by Congress and referenced the league’s “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Committee.”

WHERE:

NBC Sports - Hurts was evaluated at a hospital; the article said he returned to a hotel and later traveled across the country with the team.

NBC Sports - Russo criticized Sirianni for answering questions from Philadelphia media.

WHEN:

NBC Sports - The criticism aired on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s editions of *First Take* and Wednesday’s *PFT Live*.

NBC Sports - The article said Hurts’ initial blood clot was discovered the night before a game and that he returned to the hotel at 3:00 a.m.

WHY:

NBC Sports - The handling drew criticism over concerns about player safety, Hurts’ worsening symptoms, and the decision to play him after his hospital evaluation.

NBC Sports - The article said secrecy framed as patient-privacy concerns increased interest in obtaining answers, despite public statements detailing Hurts’ diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

HOW:

Pro Football Network - An Eagles writer praised Donovan McNabb for refusing to back down from pundits while defending Jalen Hurts.

Delaware Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester is asking the NFL whether it will review the Eagles’ handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots. The Philadelphia quarterback was ruled out for the season after a clot in his calf traveled to his lungs, though he is expected to make a full recovery; Tanner McKee has taken over. The case has drawn sharp criticism over player safety and the decision to let Hurts play after a hospital evaluation. ESPN commentator Chris Russo accused the Eagles of doing a “horrendous job” and questioned the NFL’s claim that the team did nothing wrong. NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills called the approach conservative and patient-focused, while former player Devin McCourty questioned whether Hurts should have played. Jason Kelce defended the team’s medical staff, and former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb stood up for Hurts.