NFL Probes Eagles’ Handling of Jalen Hurts’ Blood Clots

WHO:

Inquirer.com - Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder explained offensive lineman Josh Simmons’ back condition to reporters.

Inquirer.com - NFL sources said the league had no concerns about the timeline or treatment of Hurts and believed the Eagles proceeded with appropriate caution and care.

Inquirer.com - NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills said there was “incredible vigilance,” “conservative care,” and “state-of-the-art imaging” in London, and that he had “great confidence” in the timing and decision-making.

Inquirer.com - NFL sources said commissioner Roger Goodell and the league office were “furious” and annoyed with how the Eagles handled Hurts’ deteriorating health.

Inquirer.com - The Eagles’ chief medical officer is Dr. Arsh S. Dhanota; vice president of sports medicine and head athletic trainer is Tom Hunkele; executive vice president and general manager is Howie Roseman.

Bleacher Report - The NFL and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) said they are jointly reviewing the Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood-clot situation.

Bleacher Report - NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo said communication had begun between the league and union to work out the investigation’s logistics.

Bleacher Report - The NFLPA called for a “full investigation.” Its statement was reported by ESPN’s Tim McManus.

Bleacher Report - NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills defended the care, calling the Eagles’ treatment “very conservative, very patient-focused and appropriately guarded in every step.”

Bleacher Report - The Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, said Hurts was “clinically stable,” had “no significant functional limitations,” and had a “very good” prognosis.

TMZ - The NFL confirmed it was investigating Hurts’ medical care and blood-clot diagnosis.

WHAT:

Inquirer.com - The article described Hurts’ condition as deep vein thrombosis with pulmonary emboli, said it would require months of therapy, and reported that it would likely end his season.

Inquirer.com - The article said the Eagles were riding a four-game losing streak and had an aging, unproductive roster ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.

Inquirer.com - Chiefs coach Andy Reid continued the medical-transparency policy he began while leading the Eagles.

Inquirer.com - The article said Hurts’ condition was more dire than a torn ligament, grade-2 strain, or mild concussion.

Inquirer.com - The article said the NFL remained sensitive to the handling of three head-trauma incidents involving Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2022; Tagovailoa considered retiring after three seasons.

NBC Sports - Former Eagles safety Chris Maragos won a $43.5 million medical-malpractice verdict against Dr. James Bradley and Rothman Orthopaedics Associates; the award was upheld on appeal.

NBC Sports - Former Browns receiver David Bell sued Dr. William Meyers and others over a core-muscle repair that he alleges caused a career-ending injury to his femoral artery. Bell’s attorney, Brad Sohn, said the legal team had conducted a year-long investigation involving surgeons and radiologists.

Inquirer.com - The NFL’s 2013 concussion-lawsuit settlement totaled $765 million.

Inquirer.com - Hurts was placed on injured reserve after the clot was found to have moved; the article said his condition would require months of therapy.

Inquirer.com - An NFLPA source said the union could invoke its right to a fully independent investigation if it believes the joint review is obstructed or misled.

Inquirer.com - The article said the Eagles had not provided a medical professional to explain Hurts’ condition or answer questions, and that head coach Nick Sirianni had declined to give specifics.

NBC Sports - The NFLPA had not formally activated its “full investigation” under Article 39, Section 5(f) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and NBC Sports reported that no investigation had started yet.

NBC Sports - A potential lawsuit by Hurts against the doctors who treated him could be independent of his more limited rights to sue the Eagles or the league; litigation could involve proceedings in both the United States and England.

NBC Sports - The article said Hurts’s “superficial” leg clot, reportedly resulting from being cleated during a Week 4 game against the Rams, progressed to deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs.

NBC Sports - The article said the eventual impact of the situation on Hurts’s career was unknown.

Bleacher Report - The review concerns the Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ blood clot during and around the team’s trip to London to play the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bleacher Report - The NFLPA said the league had previously told the union it did not plan to review the care Hurts received, and that it was unaware of an NFL investigation at that point.

Bleacher Report - The Eagles and Lynn said they anticipated Hurts would have no long-term effects and could resume contact football after coming off blood thinners; he would remain active with the team and continue conditioning in the meantime.

Bleacher Report - Hurts was ruled out of the next game against the Carolina Panthers and was expected to miss the rest of the season.

Bleacher Report - The Jaguars beat the Eagles 19–17 on a last-second field goal. Hurts completed 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

TMZ - The report said Hurts had been sidelined for the rest of the season.

WHERE:

Inquirer.com - Roger Goodell and Allen Sills fielded questions about Hurts’ care at owners’ meetings in New York.

NBC Sports - The potential litigation could involve courts in the United States and England.

Bleacher Report - The Eagles’ trip was to London; Hurts later returned to Philadelphia, where a follow-up ultrasound was conducted.

WHEN:

Inquirer.com - The article reported that the clot presented as a bruise on Oct. 8, was diagnosed as stable and superficial on Oct. 10, moved on Oct. 14, and Hurts was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 17.

Bleacher Report - The team said an October 10 ultrasound found a superficial blood clot. The article does not specify a year.

Bleacher Report - The trip was for the team’s Week 5 game against the Jaguars.

WHY:

Inquirer.com - The article said the Eagles’ lack of transparency and incomplete public statements left questions unanswered about Hurts’ examinations, tests, travel, and return-to-play practices.

Inquirer.com - The article attributed continuing public outrage to the Eagles’ lack of transparency and unanswered questions about examinations, testing, travel, and return-to-play practices.

Bleacher Report - The NFLPA said establishing the facts was essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection.

Bleacher Report - The union sought an investigation before conclusions were drawn about how the situation was handled.

HOW:

NBC Sports - The article said the Collective Bargaining Agreement limits a player’s ability to sue the team or league in court, while doctors could be sued.

Bleacher Report - The Eagles’ medical staff and doctors in London concluded Hurts could safely play after the October 10 ultrasound.

Bleacher Report - A follow-up ultrasound in Philadelphia showed the clot had moved.

Bleacher Report - ESPN’s Ian Rapoport reported that Hurts slept before the Jaguars game after spending late hours at a hospital.

The NFL and NFL Players Association are jointly reviewing how the Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, with the union calling for a full investigation and saying it could pursue an independent review if necessary. Hurts was placed on injured reserve after the clot progressed to deep vein thrombosis and clots in both lungs, and he is expected to miss the rest of the season while undergoing months of therapy. League medical officials praised the care as cautious, but unanswered questions about the Eagles’ examinations, testing and decisions have kept scrutiny on the team.