Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts faced a far more severe medical crisis than initially disclosed, battling deep vein thromboses in his lower extremities rather than a simple case of left calf superficial vein thromboses. That initial misdiagnosis masked a significantly graver medical reality.

Hurts Battles Deep Vein Thromboses and Bilateral Pulmonary Embolisms

The deeper blood clots eventually migrated to his lungs, triggering bilateral pulmonary embolisms—a dangerous, potentially life-threatening medical emergency. Consequently, Hurts has been placed on anticoagulation therapy, commonly known as blood thinners, and will remain sidelined for the remainder of the NFL season. Yet, examining the timeline of events reveals a sequence of unclear and perplexing circumstances.

Thrombosis refers medically to blood clots. Superficial veins sit close to the skin's surface, whereas deep veins run significantly deeper within the muscle and tissue, such as in the legs.

Clots forming in these deep veins are classified as deep vein thromboses, or DVTs. Their deep anatomical location creates a much higher risk of breaking free, traveling through the vascular system, and lodging in the pulmonary arteries. These blockages disrupt blood flow through the lungs, which poses immediate health risks.

A joint statement released on X by Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, and the Philadelphia Eagles detailed the quarterback's medical situation:

Hurts Sidelined For the Remainder of the NFL Season

The formal statement emphasized that Jalen’s prognosis remains highly favorable, with a full recovery anticipated. He is currently receiving anticoagulant treatment, the standard medical protocol for managing DVTs, pulmonary embolisms, or both. While blood thinners prevent abnormal clotting like DVTs, they also impair normal clotting mechanisms required to stop bleeding from cuts or wounds.

Consequently, Hurts is barred from participating in contact sports while undergoing anticoagulant therapy to avoid severe complications. Because recovery from pulmonary embolisms requires at least three months of blood thinners, Hurts will miss the rest of the football season. He can discontinue the medication only when physicians clear him of any ongoing DVT risks.

Questions Linger Regarding Medical Care During London Trip

Ambiguity still surrounds the exact medical events that transpired in London prior to the Eagles’ Week 5 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The timeline began around October 4, when Hurts sustained a cleat strike to his calf during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. He reported the lingering discomfort to the Eagles' medical staff following an October 8 practice, yet still practiced the following day before the team boarded a flight to the United Kingdom.

The situation grew murky upon arrival in London. Reports indicate that on the night before the October 11 game, Hurts was admitted to a local hospital, where medical personnel issued the initial, incorrect superficial vein thrombosis diagnosis. An ultrasound reportedly failed to detect any DVTs, leading doctors to conclude that anticoagulation was unnecessary and clearing him to play. Given the subsequent DVT and pulmonary embolism diagnoses, questions have been raised regarding potential oversights in his medical evaluation.

Initial reporting from Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport suggested that physicians may have advised Hurts to avoid sleeping before the game as a precaution. The rationale behind this advice remains unclear; if medical concerns were severe enough to warrant staying awake, prescribing blood thinners and benching him would have represented more logical precautions, especially since sleep deprivation harms athletic performance.

Although Pelissero and Rapoport later updated their reports to confirm that Hurts did get some rest, commentators noted that the overall narrative lacks internal consistency.

Hurts ultimately started the game against the Jaguars, completing 21 of 40 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown in a 19-17 defeat. He then boarded a long-haul flight back to the United States. Prolonged immobility, cabin air pressure, and dehydration from dry recycled air create prime conditions for clot formation during long flights. Shortly after returning, Hurts received the diagnosis of bilateral pulmonary embolisms.

While the expectation of a full recovery brings reassurance, the handling of Hurts' medical care warrants close examination. NFL franchises face immense pressure to keep star athletes on the field, but playing through a blood clot carries risks entirely distinct from a simple calf strain. Unlike a muscle injury, a deep clot can travel to the lungs—a danger magnified exponentially by international travel and rapid schedule changes.