Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season after further medical testing revealed that blood clots had traveled from his left leg to his lungs. The team announced on Monday that Hurts has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, a condition that requires immediate treatment with blood thinners. While his current condition is stable and he has no significant functional limitations, he is strictly prohibited from participating in any contact activities until his treatment is complete.
Eagles QB’s heroic but risky London performance now raises serious health concerns
The revelation casts a new light on Hurts’s performance in the Eagles’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on October 11. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, specialists in England initially diagnosed superficial clots in Hurts’s left calf before the game. He remained in the hospital until 4 a.m., where doctors advised him to stay awake as a precautionary measure. This means the 28-year-old quarterback took the field after going 36 hours without sleep, a grueling physical and mental burden that likely impacted his decision-making and physical performance during the contest.
The Eagles have expressed confidence in Hurts’s long-term health, stating that his prognosis is good and they expect a full recovery with no lasting effects. The team confirmed that Hurts will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities once he is off the blood thinners. This incident highlights the critical importance of immediate medical intervention in the NFL, as the initial superficial diagnosis in London was a precursor to the more severe pulmonary issues discovered later. Fans and analysts alike are now focused on how the Eagles will navigate the rest of the season without their star quarterback, while Hurts prioritizes his health and recovery.
Source: The Guardian Sport
