The Philadelphia Eagles will not be punished by the NFL over their handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clot, after weeks of questions about why the quarterback was cleared to play in London.
League spokesman Brian McCarthy said the Eagles would not be investigated or punished for their handling of Hurts’ treatment, USA Today reported on Tuesday (US time). The Associated Press also reported the decision, citing a source.
The news was first reported by The Athletic, which said the league had found the Eagles did not breach its injury report policy, according to ESPN. The league concluded the process that led to Hurts being cleared to play “was handled appropriately”, CBS Sports reported.
In a statement, the NFL said its officials had been in contact with the Eagles’ medical staff and Cleveland Clinic London throughout Hurts’ treatment.
“The league’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Allen Sills, arranges for medical resources with leading providers in every international market with approval from the NFL Players Association,” the league said. “Medical care for players is provided by club medical staff in coordination with independent doctors.”
How the situation unfolded
Read more: Jalen Hurts Expected to Miss Rest of Season With Blood Clots
Hurts took a cleat to the calf against the Los Angeles Rams on 4 October. An ultrasound in London on 10 October found a superficial blood clot, but the Eagles said their medical staff and London-based doctors “concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play” against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He played the next day at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and attempted 40 passes in a 19-17 loss, ESPN reported. A follow-up ultrasound back in Philadelphia showed the clot had moved, and he was ruled out of the Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers before being placed on injured reserve.
On Monday (US time), the Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, said he had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Sources told NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter that treatment with blood thinners is expected to sideline him for at least three months, and he is expected to miss the rest of the season.
“Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery,” the statement said.
Sirianni questioned
Read more: Andy Dalton Turns Down Eagles Return With Jalen Hurts Sidelined
Coach Nick Sirianni faced questions on Monday about why Hurts was allowed to play and then fly home from London with the team.
“Again, I’m not a medical expert. Same deal there. We get medical information from our guys, and we always put the players’ health first and foremost in every situation, and that’s where we were there,” Sirianni said, according to CBS Sports.
Sills and other league officials were expected to speak to reporters at the NFL’s fall meeting in New York later on Tuesday (US time).
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