The NFL and the NFL Players Association are now officially looking into how Jalen Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis was handled. The two sides confirmed the joint review in a statement on Sunday, October 25, as reported by The Shade Room.
What We Know
Hurts last played on October 11 in London. The Eagles have said doctors cleared him to play in that game. His agent, Nicole Lynn, later said he was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs while he was in London. Philadelphia has since placed him on injured reserve, doctors expect about three months of treatment, and Bleacher Report reported he’ll miss the rest of the season.
Earlier in the week, the NFLPA called for an investigation, and Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league welcomed a review. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said the process is underway but the logistics are still being worked out: “It’s taking some time, this is a big endeavor, obviously.” No timeline for findings has been given.
The IAHHM Take
This is bigger than one quarterback. Hurts is a Super Bowl-winning QB and one of the most respected leaders in the league, and if a player at his level can be cleared to play with clots forming, every player in that locker room has the right to ask questions about their own care.
Blood clots aren’t a sprained ankle. They can be life-threatening, and players deserve to know that the people clearing them are putting their health ahead of the game plan. Plenty of fans online are already asking why the NFL and the union are reviewing themselves instead of bringing in an independent investigator. That’s a fair question.
It also hits close to home here in Carolina, where Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton missed the first four games of this season with blood clots in his lung, per ABC11.
Should this review be handled by someone outside the league? Let us know what you think.
More from the NFL: Seahawks Release Trevon Diggs and the rest of our Sports coverage.
Source: The Shade Room, theGrio, AP via ClickOnDetroit
