NFLPA Seeking Investigation Into Eagles’ Handling Of Jalen Hurts

“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the union’s statement reads. “In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received. Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”

Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, said (via The Ringer’s Lindsay Jones) he has “complete confidence” in the Eagles’ medical staff and rejected the notion of team doctors being influenced by team staffers. Sills characterized the Eagles’ medical approach regarding Hurts as “appropriately guarded at every step.”

“Any idea or any suggestion that a team physician is ever being influenced by a coach, a general manager, a team owner — it just doesn’t happen,” Sills said, via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. “There is no doctor who is taking orders from a football person, a non-medical person. Period. The notion that there are external factors or that any of our physicians would put a player in harm’s way, that’s nonsense.”

Nick Sirianni did not delve into specifics when asked about Hurts being allowed to play and then fly home with the team from London, but the situation escalated quickly. An initial report indicated the seventh-year quarterback was dealing with a superficial blood clot that would not bring a move to IR. Not only did a move to IR commence, Hurts is not expected to play again this season.

Blood clots have been found in both of Hurts’ lungs, though his agent (Nicole Lynn) said her client is “clinically stable” and does not have any functional limitations. Hurts popped up on Philly’s injury report because of his calf on Oct. 9, the day before the superficial blood clot diagnosis. The Eagles did not make any changes to Hurts’ status on their injury report after that because they determined the blood clot would not affect his snap count.

Lynn’s statement revealing this issue turned from an initial diagnosis of left calf superficial vein thrombosis to clots being found in both lungs certainly highlights why the NFLPA would be concerned about the process. Opposing Sills’ view of it being “nonsense” team personnel and players influence doctors to clear players for games rather than exercise caution, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio points to the existence of the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant as evidence guardrails are needed to help protect players.

The NFL beefed up its concussion protocol in 2022, amid a controversy surrounding Tua Tagovailoa being allowed to reenter a September game after showing concussion symptoms. That change, which added steps for protocol clearance, came about because of an NFLPA investigation into the matter. It is highly unlikely this Hurts situation will be settled after the NFL and NFLPA’s Tuesday salvos, as a disconnect is present.