The NFL Players Association is calling for a full investigation into the medical care given to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after doctors found multiple blood clots in his lungs.
The union issued its statement Tuesday night, responding to comments from NFL medical officials and reports that the league did not plan to discipline the Eagles over clearing Hurts to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5.
Hurts, 28, is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to sources cited Monday by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The diagnosis surfaced after the quarterback was initially cleared to play in London, despite an earlier ultrasound that revealed a blood clot.
Union Says It Was Not Told of Any League Review
The NFLPA said it had not been informed of any league investigation into Hurts' treatment.
The union also said the NFL had previously indicated it did not intend to review the medical care he received.
In its statement, the NFLPA argued that facts must be established before conclusions are drawn about how the situation was handled.
The union said determining what occurred is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.
The demand followed a strong defense of the medical decisions from NFL officials, who said they had communicated with the Eagles' medical personnel and Cleveland Clinic London during Hurts' treatment.
NFL chief medical officer Allen Sills rejected suggestions that outside considerations could influence physicians to expose a player to unnecessary danger.
Sills called the notion that external factors would lead any league physician to put a player in harm's way nonsense.
He described the Eagles' approach as cautious and centered on the quarterback's well-being, and said he had tremendous confidence in the team's medical staff.
Sills noted that the league prepares for international games one to two years in advance by identifying local hospitals, physicians and medical resources.
NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller, who oversees player health and safety, also rejected speculation about the circumstances surrounding Hurts' clearance to play.
Miller said conservative steps were taken to ensure Hurts' health was always made the first priority and continues to be.
The NFL declined to discuss details of Hurts' case, citing medical privacy.
The league's statements came amid questions about why the quarterback played against Jacksonville after doctors identified a blood clot in London.
According to an Eagles statement released the previous week, an ultrasound performed in London on Oct. 10 identified a superficial blood clot.
The team's medical staff and London-based doctors reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Hurts could safely play against the Jaguars.
After returning to Philadelphia, Hurts underwent another ultrasound Wednesday.
The examination showed movement in the clot, and the Eagles ruled him out for their game against the Carolina Panthers.
A subsequent statement from Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, and the Eagles on Monday said further testing and monitoring had established a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli.
The condition meant a blood clot had traveled from his legs to his lungs.
Sources cited by Rapoport said Hurts had been hospitalized late at night in London.
He returned to the team hotel at 3 a. m.
local time, slept until the team departed for the stadium at 10:30 a. m.
, and later rested again before pregame warmups.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni declined to provide details about the decision to play Hurts against Jacksonville but said the team's medical professionals remained focused on player health.
He also expressed confidence in the staff, citing its role in helping 21 of the team's 22 starters remain available for the Super Bowl.
Sirianni said Hurts' absence would require an adjustment, while expressing confidence in backup quarterback Tanner McKee.
The coach acknowledged the personal impact of losing Hurts for an extended period after working with him for six years.
Sources cited by Rapoport said Hurts' clot was considered provoked because he had been cleated in the calf.
They said that classification was associated with a favorable prognosis with treatment and care.
