League decision and official posture

NFL Stands By Eagles’ Medical Handling of Jalen Hurts as Backlash Mounts

The NFL said the Eagles will not be disciplined for how they handled Hurts’ blood clots and that league officials had been in contact with Eagles medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London during his treatment. As reported by The Athletic, the league concluded the process surrounding Hurts’ Week 5 clearance "was handled appropriately." That finding has sparked intense backlash and prompted calls from the NFL Players Association for a full investigation.

In a statement, the league said officials had been in contact with Eagles medical personnel and the Cleveland Clinic in London throughout Hurts’ treatment, and noted that the league’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Allen Sills, coordinates medical resources in international markets with approval from the NFL Players Association.

Medical facts and roster impact

NFL Stands By Eagles’ Medical Handling of Jalen Hurts as Backlash Mounts

Subsequent testing after Hurts returned to the United States revealed blood clots in his lungs. The Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, said Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. He is on injured reserve and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Hurts’ treatment involves blood thinners, and medical guidance prohibits his participation in football activities while he remains on that medication because of the risk of serious internal bleeding in a contact sport.

Public and union reaction

The league’s determination that the Eagles’ handling was appropriate has sparked sharp backlash from fans and pundits, who questioned how Hurts moved from a superficial leg clot to pulmonary emboli after playing and traveling. The Athletic’s report that the NFL found the team’s approach acceptable drew angry responses across social platforms.

The NFL Players Association has called for a full investigation and wants a thorough review of the medical response surrounding Hurts’ diagnosis and clearance. The union’s demand reflects broader concerns about how clotting conditions and return-to-play decisions are managed.

On television, ESPN analyst Marcus Spears directly questioned the timeline: “I want to know how did Jalen Hurts get from a superficial blood clot in his leg to blood clots in his lungs and played a football game in between and flew over to London in that time.” Spears’ question captures the central unease driving calls for a closer look at protocols and communication.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni defended his reliance on the team’s medical personnel when asked about the decision to allow Hurts to play, expressing confidence that the staff shares his concern for player health and safety.

The episode centers on medical judgment, player safety and institutional responsibility. With Hurts sidelined for the season and the NFL Players Association pushing for an independent review, league and club medical practices are likely to face continued scrutiny in the weeks ahead.

NFL Players Association

NFL Concludes Eagles Did Not Mishandle Jalen Hurts' Health Process

NFL Players Association