Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the 2026 NFL season after being diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs, raising questions and concerns about the medical decisions that enabled him to play despite knowing about the diagnosis prior to the game.
The NFL and NFLPA (National Football League Players Association) announced on Sunday that an in-depth investigation would be looking into how Hurts’ condition was managed after doctors discovered a superficial blood clot in his left calf before the Eagles’ game on October 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
Hurts, who is only 28 years old, was cleared to play by medical professionals associated with the team despite knowing about the concern. Additional testing after the game showed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, which are potentially fatal conditions in which blood clots prevent blood flow in the lungs.
According to the Eagles, Hurts originally suffered a calf injury on October 4 during a game against the Los Angeles Rams when a defensive player’s cleat hit his leg. Hurts admitted he was experiencing discomfort to the team’s medical staff on October 8, prior to an ultrasound in London two days later.
An ultrasound done in London on October 10 revealed a superficial blood clot. The Eagles said team medical personnel and doctors in London analyzed the results and determined Hurts could play the next day. However, a second ultrasound on October 14 revealed movement in the clot, leading the team to rule out Hurts for the rest of the season.
On October 19, Philadelphia and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, confirmed that additional medical tests showed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning blood clots were present in both lungs. For Just N Life Editor-in-Chief Nekia Nichelle, who experienced blood clots in both lungs in 2021, the news brought back memories of a terrifying medical emergency.
“I was having severe chest pains to where it felt like someone was stabbing me in my chest,” Nekia said. “If I wanted to take a deep breath in, it hurt. I couldn’t laugh.”
She said her symptoms worsened as the days went on, making it hard to breathe, sleep and exercise. Originally believing the pain was caused by stress, Nekia did not seek medical attention until the pain became too much to handle.
“I felt if I went to sleep, I may never wake up again,” Nekia said.
After going to an emergency room, she learned she had blood clots in both lungs. She was prescribed blood thinners for six months and later received further testing to determine if there were more underlying concerns. Nekia’s concerns showcase her personal experiences and perspective of the reports that have come out.
The collaborative review has not determined that the Eagles’ medical staff acted neglectfully. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sided with the medical procedures during an October 21 news conference, claiming the league believed the responsible protocols were applied. Goodell also acknowledged the players’ union right to request an investigation. NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sillis also defended the medical staff involved in Hurts’ care, while the NFLPA called for additional scrutiny of the circumstances surrounding his ability to play.
According to the Eagles’ official medical update, Hurts is receiving anticoagulant treatment, commonly known as blood thinners, and cannot participate in football activities while on the medication.
Blood thinners help prevent additional clotting but also increase the risk of bleeding, making it unsafe for Hurts to participate in contact sports while taking the medication. Fortunately, the Eagles and Lynn said Hurts is stable and is expected to make a full recovery.
Nekia said her own experience showed her the importance of follow-up care after a pulmonary embolism. She remembered feeling frustrated with the medical care she received after her diagnosis and she believed her concerns were not heard at times.
Many years later, further testing revealed an autoimmune condition called Sjogren’s syndrome, although Nekia mentioned the exact cause of her blood clots is still unknown. She credited a Northwestern Medicine physician with the care and time he took to treat her symptoms.
“He took a minute out of his day to show concern and remembered the last time I was there and what state I was in and that meant so much to me,” Nekia said.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia has moved on to a new starting quarterback, Tanner McKee, for the remainder of the season. The Eagles placed Hurts on injury reserve on October 17. Although no official return date has been announced, the team expects Hurts to remain involved with the organization as he continues to recover.
For Nekia, and so many other victims, this serves as a reminder of how serious blood clots can be and why symptoms should never be overlooked.
“A blood clot can kill, and it is the scariest thing,” Nekia said. “I just hate when people try to downplay it or make it seem like it’s not a big deal.”
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