Goodell says NFL welcomes review of Eagles' handling of Jalen Hurts' blood clots

The NFL is open to an investigation of how the Philadelphia Eagles medically handled quarterback Jalen Hurts' blood clots, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, though he insisted the league's protocols had been followed, 6abc and WHYY reported.

Speaking to reporters as the league's yearly fall meeting wrapped up, Goodell said chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills had examined each step in the process, and that the players' union was within its rights to seek a review, according to both outlets. "Obviously, there was a medical evaluation, and I think our protocols were incredibly good there," Goodell said, per 6abc.

The NFL Players Association pushed for a full inquiry after Sills spoke up for the Eagles' doctors and trainers on Tuesday, 6abc reported, also citing an ESPN report that the team would face no league punishment. The union said in a statement that the NFL had earlier told it no review of Hurts' care was planned.

Sills dismissed the suggestion that outside pressures could push team physicians to endanger a player. "The notion that there's external factors that any of our physicians would put a player in harm's way -- that's nonsense," he said, according to 6abc. WHYY reported that Sills said whether a player with a clot may fly hinges on several variables, such as where the clot sits and the patient's medical background.

Pressure has also come from Congress. Delaware Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester sent Goodell a letter asking if the league plans to examine the case, CBS Philadelphia reported.

Team officials said Hurts' symptoms began after an opponent's cleat struck his calf on Oct. 4, according to FOX 29. An Oct. 10 ultrasound in London showed a superficial clot in his leg, 6abc reported, and the Eagles said doctors decided he was safe to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. Once the team was back in the U.S., another ultrasound led to Hurts being sidelined, and he went on injured reserve days afterward, FOX 29 reported.

On Monday, the Eagles and agent Nicole Lynn said Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. That means a clot moved from his leg into his lungs, according to 6abc and WHYY. WHYY reported his treatment includes blood thinners and that he is barred from football activity until he stops taking them. Hurts, 28, is projected to sit out the remainder of the season, 6abc reported, citing NFL Network and ESPN.

Jeff Miller, an NFL executive vice president, pushed back on a report that Hurts went more than 30 hours without sleep before the Oct. 11 game, saying he got about seven or eight hours of rest at the hotel, WHYY reported. Goodell also minimized the possible effect of overseas travel, both outlets said.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence in the team's medical staff, 6abc reported.

Compiled by True News from reporting by CBS Philadelphia, FOX 29 Philadelphia, 6abc Action News and WHYY. Each outlet's original story is linked below.

Originally published by True News: https://truenews.bagleyenterprises.net/stories/345