Roger Goodell: NFL Welcomes Investigation Into Jalen Hurts Treatment

“Obviously, there was a medical evaluation, and I think our protocols were incredibly good there,” Goodell said (via ESPN). “The protocols were followed. Our process is to make sure that’s the case, and our chief medical officer has gone through that, so we’re comfortable that what we’ve seen in the protocols have happened.”

NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills defended the Eagles on Tuesday, which prompted the NFLPA to release a statement raising questions about the level of care Hurts received. Though the clot was discovered shortly after the team arrived in London in Week 5, Hurts was still allowed to play and fly home a few days later, after which the clot moved and forced him onto injured reserve, potentially for the rest of the season.

On its face, that sequence of events portrays the Eagles in a negative light, despite support from the league office. But Hurts’ team described general manager Howie Roseman as “exceptional,” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, praising his “extremely hands on” approach and focus on the 28-year-old’s quarterback health. Hurts’ agent also jointly released a statement with the Eagles on Monday, indicating that player and club are on the same page.

That will not stop the NFLPA from seeking more clarity, especially since multiple players have dealt with similar issues in recent years. Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore missed the first half of the 2024 season with recurring blood clot symptoms and Saints wide receiver Chris Olave sidelined in Week 18 last year. Blood clots have also impacted athletes in other sports like NBA star Victor Wembanyama, so the players’ unions from different sports could even consider working together to ensure a high and uniform standard of care whenever the problem arises.