Jalen Hurts, quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles and MVP of the Super Bowl 2025, played an NFL match with multiple blood clots in his lungs, the consequence of an injury treated in an astonishing manner on the sidelines of the Philadelphia Eagles’ match in London for which the quarterback was deprived of sleep for nearly 36 hours.
Allen Sills reviewed the steps followed. Goodell minimized the role that international travel might have had in this situation, stating that Jalen’s health and future are the main point and that protocols were well respected, while also expressing optimism concerning the safe holding of the upcoming game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers at the Stade de France despite potential local protests, noting he had exchanged with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that authorities are in contact while appropriate measures are in place.
Union Demands Investigation Into Eagles Medical Handling
The union pushed back against the league’s initial stance that no review was necessary, maintaining that investigators must examine every decision made by the medical staff and establishing the facts to guarantee players receive the highest level of care and protection in the future.
An anonymous source confirmed to the Associated Press that the Philadelphia Eagles will not face sanctions for their actions regarding Hurts, as discussions between the league and the franchise remain confidential. The team announced alongside Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, that the 28-year-old quarterback is suffering from deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolisms after a blood clot in his left calf migrated to his lungs, leaving him unable to play his sport for an indefinite duration while in a stable clinical state with no functional limitations and a good prognosis with no expected aftereffects. Nicole Lynn added that his treatment consists of taking anticoagulants, and according to NFL Network, Hurts will have to submit to this for at least three months, while her update on social media Monday noted that the player’s prognosis is excellent.
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Timeline of Events From Los Angeles to London
The medical crisis began unfolding early in October during a physical stretch of the NFL schedule. Hurts initially injured his calf on Oct. 4 during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. Four days later, on Oct. 8, the quarterback reported the lingering issue to the Eagles’ medical staff following a practice session.
On Oct. 10, Hurts traveled with the team to the United Kingdom ahead of an international fixture. Medical personnel in London performed an ultrasound and diagnosed a superficial blood thrombosis in his left calf. Despite the finding, Hurts took the field the following day, Oct. 11, starting against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a game the Eagles ultimately lost.
Reports from ESPN detailed that Hurts remained hospitalized in London until 4 a.m. on the day of the game. Medical staff advised him against sleeping due to potential health risks associated with the clot, leaving the quarterback without sleep for nearly 36 hours across the pre-game stretch. A subsequent ultrasound on Oct. 14 revealed that the blood clot had shifted, leading to the severe pulmonary diagnosis.
League Officials Defend Medical Protocol
Dr. Allen Sills, the chief medical officer of the NFL, strongly defended the Eagles’ medical team during the league’s annual autumn meetings, describing their work as highly cautious, patient-centered, and marked by appropriate prudence at every step, following a league statement that officials maintained continuous contact with club personnel and Cleveland Clinic specialists in London throughout the process. Sills stated that officials maintained continuous contact with club personnel and London specialists throughout the ordeal, insisting that the eventual progression of the illness does not indicate a flawed medical process and noting that everyone showed extreme vigilance and quickly diagnosed conditions that might not have been detected in a non-athlete. Sills also indicated that the league and the NFL Players Association study and monitor blood clots every year, though he refused to enter into details regarding Hurts’ health state out of respect for patient privacy and reiterated that treating a blood clot requires considering multiple factors.
Addressing swirling rumors on social media regarding the quarterback’s sleep deprivation, NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller contested claims that Hurts spent more than 30 hours awake prior to kickoff. Miller maintained that Hurts returned to his hotel, slept for a period, and accumulated roughly seven to eight hours of rest before reporting to the stadium, following discussions with Eagles personnel, verification of information with people on site, and consultation with independent hospital and doctors.
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When questioned on why Jalen Hurts was on the field against the Jaguars, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni maintained that the health of their players is always their absolute priority while expressing full confidence in the team’s medical experts.
With Hurts placed on the injured list, the Eagles turned to backup Tanner McKee at quarterback, dropping a 25-14 decision to the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis mentioned from Versailles that the Louisiana team’s plans had not been disturbed by the situation, noting that the Saints arrived in France Monday after a direct flight from the New York area while the Steelers are scheduled to join them Thursday. Loomis reiterated that they continue ensuring they have all available information and proper measures are taken, adding that they are guests in the country, intend to behave as good guests, focus on their work, and that he is convinced authorities will do their part while he looks forward to it and is departing for the site shortly, alongside Saints safety Justin Reed confiding that his teammates and he are not worried about the current situation.
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