The NFL has reportedly decided not to punish the Philadelphia Eagles organization for their handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis.
Sources told both The Athletic and the Associated Press that the situation “was handled appropriately” on Tuesday, October 20.
Hurts, 28, will likely miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with multiple blood clots in his lungs, the Eagles announced on Monday, October 19.
The quarterback had initially been diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf after being “cleated” in a game against the Los Angeles Rams on October 4.
Hurts underwent further medical testing in London after the Eagles had traveled overseas to play the Jacksonville Jaguars, when it was determined the blood clots had traveled from his legs to his lungs.
Despite that, Hurts was still allowed to start against the Jaguars on October 11.
The NFL insisted it had been in contact with Eagles medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London throughout the process of Hurts’ initial diagnosis.
“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 on Tuesday. “Medical care for players is provided by club medical staff in coordination with independent doctors.”
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni addressed the media about the Hurts situation on Monday, saying, “The health of our players is always at the forefront of our mind.”
“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,” Sirianni, 45, noted.
Backup quarterback Tanner McKee will likely assume Hurts’ duties for the remainder of the season.
“I haven’t been without Jalen for an extended period of time,” Sirianni said. “I have the utmost confidence in Tanner, but I miss him. I miss him, and I know that will be the case because Jalen and I have been together, head coach and quarterback, for six years, so that’s natural.”
He added, “I don’t want to speak for him in any sense of the matter, but I deeply care about him and hope that he continues to improve with what he’s going through.”
In their statement on Monday, the Eagles said Hurts’ prognosis is “very good” and they expect him to make “a full recovery.”
