Hurts Out Due to Blood Clots
Jalen Hurts has been ruled out of the upcoming Eagles game against the Panthers as he was hospitalized over the weekend because of blood clots. Imaging tests revealed that the clots had progressed to his lungs, prompting a shift in treatment from simple “rest and management” to a more serious approach. The new treatment involves a regimen of blood thinners and close monitoring, and while it’s anticipated that he won’t face lasting effects, there’s a considerable risk that his condition could worsen with any intense physical activity.
On Monday, Hurts’ agent provided further clarification regarding his situation.
This recent diagnosis raises significant concerns about the Eagles’ decisions leading up to their Week 5 game in London. Ian Rapoport has reported that Hurts was hospitalized for monitoring the night before the Jaguars game, being kept awake all night as sleeping was considered too risky given his condition. This meant Hurts went into the game without any sleep. There are valid questions about why the Eagles allowed their starting QB to be in such a predicament and how he was cleared to fly to England in the first place, particularly when he was struggling with blood clots. The circumstances surrounding his return flight to Philadelphia are also troubling.
This situation has escalated to the point where an NFL investigation into the decision-making process regarding Hurts’ participation in the game is warranted, especially since he took the field less than 12 hours after being treated for a potentially life-threatening issue.
While the football implications may seem minor in comparison, the Eagles’ season was already precarious, and this development could be a major setback. Backup QB Tanner McKee struggled against Carolina on Sunday, completing only 215 yards on 47 attempts, despite facing a battered Panthers secondary missing both starting cornerbacks.
With a record of 2-4, there’s still a glimmer of hope for making the postseason in the struggling NFC East, but any aspirations for a Super Bowl run or deep playoff contention seem effectively over.
