Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is likely to miss the remainder of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in his lungs — and the NFL Players Association is now demanding a “full investigation” into how the team’s medical staff handled his case.
How the situation unfolded
The timeline begins with an injury in the Eagles’ Week 4 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, when Hurts took a cleat to his calf. The day before the team’s October 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, an ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot in his calf. Hurts was cleared to play the following day, and played the entire game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A follow-up ultrasound the following week showed the clot in his calf had moved. Hurts was held out of the Eagles’ game against the Carolina Panthers. Then, in a joint statement from the Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, released Monday, the team announced that further testing had found blood clots in both of Hurts’ lungs — a condition known as bilateral pulmonary emboli — and that he would likely miss the rest of the season.
Hurts, 28, was reported to be clinically stable and is being treated with blood-thinning medication, which by itself prevents him from playing football.
The union calls for answers
Late Tuesday, the NFLPA issued a strongly worded statement calling for a full investigation into what happened.
“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the union wrote. “In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received.”
“Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”
The case has raised questions from fans and commentators about why Hurts was allowed to play in London — and then take a transatlantic flight home — after the initial clot diagnosis.
Goodell welcomes the inquiry
One day after the league had indicated no investigation was necessary, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, at the close of the league’s fall owners meeting in New York, that he would welcome the union’s inquiry.
“We welcome that. That’s part of our process,” Goodell told reporters. “Our chief medical officer has been through the protocols that were followed, so we welcome that. If that’s what they do, they have that right.”
NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills defended the care Hurts received at a press conference on Tuesday. “The notion that there are external factors, or that any of our physicians would put a player in harm’s way — that’s nonsense,” Sills said.
Sills also provided a detailed timeline of Hurts’ treatment that contradicted earlier media reports, including one claim that the quarterback had not slept for 36 hours before kickoff in London.
Separately, reporting by The Athletic’s Jonathan Jones said the NFL has concluded its own review of the injury-reporting process and will not discipline the Eagles.
What it means for the Eagles’ season
With their franchise quarterback — the 2025 Super Bowl MVP — sidelined, the Eagles must completely rebuild their offensive identity to save their season. The medical investigation, meanwhile, could have lasting consequences for how the league handles blood-clot diagnoses and return-to-play decisions.
“I’m more worried about his health ultimately,” Goodell said Wednesday. “We have the greatest medical advisors and people that are working on the health of our players.”
Sources: Reuters, Field Level Media, USA TODAY, The Athletic, Bleacher Report. This story will be updated as the investigation develops.
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