The NFL and the NFL Players Association have begun a formal investigation into how the Philadelphia Eagles handled the discovery of quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood clots, with a league source telling OutKick on Sunday there is “no timetable for completion.”
“The NFL and NFL Players Association are working together to review the matter,” the two organizations said in a joint statement.
The review follows the Eagles’ Oct. 19 announcement that Hurts was placed on injured reserve after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. He is now on a blood thinner regimen and cannot return to the field until the clots are treated and he is cleared off the medication, a process expected to sideline him for the rest of the regular season and possibly beyond.
The NFLPA demanded the investigation last week under its rights in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, after the Eagles disclosed Hurts’ condition with little explanation of the events leading up to it.
The Eagles have offered almost no public detail. Coach Nick Sirianni has taken questions but repeatedly deferred, saying he is not a doctor. The team has not made its medical staff or general manager Howie Roseman available to reporters.
Despite that silence, the league moved quickly to back the Eagles. NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said he has “complete confidence in the Eagles medical staff and their handling of this situation.” The NFLPA was not convinced, and pushed ahead with the investigation it is entitled to under the CBA.
“Well, we welcome that,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. “That’s part of our process and that’s fine. Our chief medical officer has been through the protocols that were followed. So, we welcome that and if that’s what they did, they have that right.”
The specific questions investigators plan to ask have not been made public, though the timing of the Eagles’ trip to London is expected to draw scrutiny. Goodell has already downplayed that angle.
“I’m not sure how much international travel had to do with this in that context,” Goodell said. “That’s for maybe the medical professionals to tell us if that had any impact. I haven’t heard that to date.”
Goodell framed the league’s posture throughout as centered on Hurts’ well-being.
“Obviously, there was a medical evaluation,” Goodell said. “And I think our protocols were incredibly good there. The most important thing here is Jalen’s health, ultimately, and the future of a wonderful young man and just a great player. He’s someone we all care deeply about. I’m more worried about his health ultimately but the protocols were followed. Our process is to make sure that’s the case and our chief medical officer has gone through that so we’re comfortable with what we see the protocols that happened.”
