Why Hurts played with blood clot and what it means for NFL
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on 11 October, hours after a scan found a blood clot in his calf. Further tests later found multiple clots in both lungs, a potentially life-threatening condition, and he is expected to miss the rest of the season while receiving treatment. The case has raised questions about how the NFL and team medical staff assess unusual health risks, particularly during international games.
Hurts first reported a problem on 8 October, after another player had stepped on his calf during a game. An ultrasound at London’s Cleveland Clinic on 10 October found a superficial clot, and he was cleared to play and fly home, with a follow-up scan advised within 72 hours. That scan on 14 October showed the clot had moved; tests on 19 October confirmed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli. The NFL said it had no protocol for this situation, while the league and players’ union have since agreed to review his care.
In short
- Hurts played in London after a calf clot diagnosis.
- Later scans found clots in both lungs.
- The NFL and players’ union are reviewing his care.
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The case for
The team’s decision can be defended on the information available at the time: the scan found a superficial clot, Hurts was medically cleared to play and fly, and follow-up imaging was advised within 72 hours. In a fast-moving sport, clinicians may reasonably weigh a player’s symptoms, examination and initial test results rather than assume the worst possible outcome, while recognising that the later findings warrant review.
The case against
The decision can be questioned because a blood clot can carry serious risks, and playing or flying soon after its discovery may have exposed Hurts to avoidable danger. The absence of an NFL protocol does not settle whether the individual assessment was adequate; a more cautious approach, including further testing or sitting him out until the follow-up scan, could have prioritised safety amid uncertainty.
Explained simply
Jalen Hurts is the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback, the player who leads the team’s attack by passing or running with the ball. The NFL is the United States’ professional American football league, and the Eagles were in London to play the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Blood clots can form in veins and restrict blood flow. A clot in a leg can sometimes travel to the lungs, where it may become life-threatening; treatment often involves medicines that prevent clots growing or new ones forming.
NFL teams have medical staff who assess whether players are fit to train, travel and compete. The league and the players’ union set rules for player safety, so questions about how unusual medical risks are handled can affect both individual players and wider health procedures.