NFL backs Eagles medical staff as league rules handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots appropriate

League officials said the Eagles followed protocol while team doctors rejected speculation about external influence.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 21 Oct 2026 01:57:32 GMT

The NFL announced Tuesday that the Philadelphia Eagles complied with league policy in managing quarterback Jalen Hurts’ blood‑clot condition, and senior league executives criticized media speculation about the team’s medical decisions.

What happened

Hurts suffered a calf injury when a defender’s cleat struck his left calf on Oct. 4 during a home loss to the Rams. He sought treatment on Oct. 8 and was later diagnosed with deep‑vein thrombosis in the left leg and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Despite the diagnosis, Hurts played in the Oct. 11 game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, listed only with a calf injury on the official report. After further testing revealed clots in both lungs, the team placed him on injured reserve, ending his 2026 season and projecting at least a three‑month recovery.

What the reports add

According to the NFL’s own review, the league communicated with the Eagles and their medical staff and concluded the team did not violate injury‑reporting rules (Felo’s Oct 19 report). The league therefore will not impose any sanctions (source 2). In a separate statement at the owners’ meeting, chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said speculation that team physicians were influenced by coaches or owners was “uninformed” and emphasized that physicians’ first obligation is to the patient (source 1). Both articles note that Hurts is clinically stable but will miss the remainder of the regular season.

What was said

Dr. Allen Sills told reporters, “Any idea that a team physician is ever being influenced by a coach, a general manager or an owner, it just doesn’t happen…the notion that there’s external factors that any of our physicians would put a player in harm’s way, that’s nonsense.” (source 1)

How it came about

The controversy followed analyst Michael Robinson’s unfounded comments about Hurts’ health, for which he later apologized (Felo’s Oct 20 article). The Eagles’ medical team initially reported a superficial clot, later updating it to a deep‑vein thrombosis and pulmonary emboli. The league’s review and the executives’ remarks aim to clarify that the team acted within protocol and to counter speculation that external pressures affected medical care.

Key facts

The NFL concluded the Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood‑clot situation appropriately and will not punish the team. (nypost.com)
Chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said speculation that team physicians are influenced by coaches or owners is uninformed. (nypost.com)
Hurts was diagnosed with deep‑vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli after a cleat injury on Oct. 4. (nypost.com)
Hurts was placed on injured reserve, ending his 2026 season and projecting at least a three‑month recovery. (nypost.com)

Timeline

2026-10-04 — Hurts struck in left calf by a cleat during home loss to Rams.
2026-10-08 — Hurts requested treatment for calf injury.
2026-10-11 — Hurts played in London against Jaguars despite clot diagnosis.
2026-10-19 — Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve, ending his season.
2026-10-20 — NFL announced team handled situation appropriately; no punishment.
2026-10-21 — NFL executives, including Dr. Allen Sills, criticized speculation about medical care.