Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 National Football League season after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli—severe blood clots located in his lungs. The serious medical situation has sparked a major controversy regarding player safety, medical protocols, and institutional transparency within the league.
The timeline of the issue began when Hurts sustained a calf injury during a recent matchup against the Los Angeles Rams after getting cleated. After reporting discomfort, medical evaluations revealed a superficial blood clot. Despite the diagnosis, specialists in London, England, United Kingdom—where the Eagles traveled to play the Jacksonville Jaguars—cleared him to play, concluding that activity and mobility were safe. He subsequently played in the international game and flew back with the team. However, subsequent ultrasounds and extensive testing revealed that the clot had shifted, ultimately leading to the discovery of multiple clots in his lungs. He has since been placed on injured reserve (IR) and started on blood thinners, which sideline him from all football activities.
In response to public and media backlash, NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills defended the handling of the situation. He stated that the medical staff demonstrated incredible vigilance, utilized state-of-the-art imaging, and prioritized conservative, cautious care. The league maintained that all decisions were driven by medical prudence rather than external or football-related pressures, asserting that accusations of putting players in harm’s way are unfounded.
Conversely, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has strongly pushed back, calling for a comprehensive and independent investigation into the medical care provided to Hurts. The union criticized the league for hastily concluding that the team acted appropriately without conducting a proper, transparent inquiry. Highlighting that establishing the exact facts is vital to safeguarding player health moving forward, the NFLPA remains at odds with league officials over accountability and the oversight of complex medical clearances.
Born in Houston, Texas, United States, Hurts turned 28 on August 7, 2026. He is 6’1″ tall.
In April 2020, Hurts was selected 53rd overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. In May 2023, he graduated from the University of Oklahoma in in Norman, Oklahoma, USA with a master’s degree in human relations.
