NFLPA Challenges League Over Jalen Hurts Blood Clot Situation

Jalen Hurts career in jeopardy as NFLPA demands probe into care

Jalen Hurts' season is over after blood clots travelled from his calf to his lungs, with the NFLPA demanding a full investigation into how his medical situation was handled.

Eagles' hurts out for season with blood clots as NFLPA seeks answers...

The National Football League Players Association has demanded a full investigation into the handling of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' medical care.

The union released a statement on Tuesday calling for a thorough review of what it described as botched medical treatment.

Their statement read: “The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigation into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts. In fact, the league previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he received. Before conclusions are drawn about how this situation was handled, there must be a full investigation into what occurred. Determining the facts is essential to ensuring players receive the highest level of care and protection going forward.”

https://t.co/aInIuUYiQJ

— Nicole Lynn (@AgentNicoleLynn) October 19, 2026

Hurts, 28, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after blood clots that initially formed in his calf travelled to his lungs. He featured in the London game two weeks ago while carrying the clots, throwing for 220 yards and a touchdown in the 19-17 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

He is now set to go on blood thinners, with not only his season over but his career also in jeopardy, despite an initial report from his agent, Nicole Lynn, suggesting otherwise.

Former NBA star Chris Bosh saw his career derailed by the same condition Hurts is now facing. Doctors discovered blood clots in Bosh's lungs in February 2015, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2014-15 season.

He did return the following year to play 53 games for the Miami Heat, but a second blood clot was found in his leg in 2016. Bosh was shut down for the rest of the season, which ultimately brought his career to an end.

The veteran big man attempted a comeback during the 2016-17 season, but was forced to retire as the risks were too great while he was on blood thinners.

Current NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder in February 2025, which, like Bosh and Hurts, brought his 2024-25 season to an end.

Bosh even offered words of wisdom to Wemby after the news, telling the star centre: “Take your medicine. Make sure that he's staying on top of his regimen to make sure that doesn't happen again ... because it only takes one more time. It happened one more time for me; it happened twice, and I couldn't play anymore.”

“I had an episode in January. I almost dropped dead pretty much and came back to life. I'm not joking…I had another pulmonary embolism. It was in January. I was in the hospital for a week.”

Let’s talk about the Chris Maragos case… aka the one where a Philly jury hit Eagles doctors with a $43.5 million verdict for negligently ending a Super Bowl captain’s career. Maragos tore his PCL (with meniscus issues) in a 2017 game vs. the Panthers. Dr. James Bradley (longtime Steelers doc) did the surgery; Rothman Orthopaedics (Eagles team docs) handled rehab. Plaintiffs argued the meniscus wasn’t properly addressed and rehab was advanced too aggressively (including running) despite a 2018 MRI showing persistent problems. That caused further damage and forced retirement in 2019. Defense said the meniscus was stable and more surgery would have done more harm than good. After a two-week trial (Nick Foles, Trey Burton, and Jordan Hicks testified), the jury found negligence in under three hours. Liability: Bradley 67% ($29.2M), Rothman 33% ($14.3M). An economist put lost earnings at ~$8.7M as the floor; the rest reflected pain, limitations, and future care. The verdict was upheld on appeal in 2024. Maragos’ lawyer put it bluntly: it forces team doctors to stop focusing only on “when can he return to play” and start thinking about the next 50 years of a player’s life.

— Ariel Givner (@GivnerAriel) October 20, 2026

Philadelphia will now move forward with backup quarterback Tanner McKee. The 2023 sixth-round pick made his first start of the season this past week, throwing for 215 yards and one touchdown in the team's 25-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Eagles have signed quarterback Joe Milton to join McKee and Cole Payton as they head into Week 7 with a 2-4 record.