Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni provided an update about quarterback Jalen Hurts in the aftermath of his controversial blood clot diagnosis.
“I’ve talked to him and am in constant communication with him and know he’s resting and recovering,” Sirianni, 45, told reporters on Wednesday, November 4. “I miss him like crazy. But nothing new on that front. I know he’s resting and recovering, and we’re all still praying for him and hoping for a speedy recovery.”
Hurts, 28, appeared at the Eagles’ practice on Wednesday, the first time many players and staff members had seen him since it was revealed blood clots had moved into his lungs last month.
The quarterback sat in on team meetings during his time at the facility and provided “a morale boost,” according to ESPN.
Hurts was diagnosed with multiple blood clots in his lungs, the Eagles announced on October 19. He is expected to miss the rest of the season.
“Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery,” the Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, said in a joint statement at the time. “We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when he is off blood thinners. In the meantime, he will remain active around the team and continue to condition. More importantly, we anticipate that he will have no long-term effects.”
Hurts was initially diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf after being “cleated” in a game against the Los Angeles Rams on October 4.
Despite knowledge of the diagnosis, the Eagles still permitted Hurts to play in the team’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on October 11. Once Hurts returned home, further testing revealed the blood clots had spread to his lungs.
The NFL decided not to punish the Eagles for their handling of the situation.
“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 in a statement. “Medical care for players is provided by club medical staff in coordination with independent doctors.”
Sirianni defended the Eagles’ decision-making surrounding the injury last month, telling reporters, “The same doctors and trainers that helped 21 of our 22 starters be available in the Super Bowl are the same guys today that deeply care about our guys, to help them.”
Tanner McKee has started at quarterback for the Eagles in Hurts’ absence, going 0-3. The team announced on Wednesday that quarterback Joe Milton will step in and start against the New York Giants on Sunday, November 8.
