OPINION: The Philadelphia Eagles chose to let Jalen Hurts play an NFL game after 36 hours of no sleep with a blood clot in his leg before flying back over the Atlantic, and they need to explain why
Jalen Hurts was allowed to play in an NFL game despite reportedly not sleeping for 36 hours, being found to have a blood clot and flew home with the team
Jalen Hurts was allowed to play in an NFL game despite reportedly not sleeping for 36 hours, being found to have a blood clot and flew home with the team
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The Philadelphia Eagles threw Nick Sirianni to the wolves on Monday, asking him to speak to the press about the obvious questions surrounding the reported horrific nature of the Jalen Hurts situation — while potentially putting his health at risk.
The Eagles' medical staff must absolutely address the situation immediately, because what we have learned in the past day is undoubtedly shocking.
You do not need to be a doctor to know that allowing Hurts to play an NFL game after being awake for 36 hours is just incredibly alarming. Not only should any human be engaging in such intense physical activity after not sleeping for that amount of time, but the additional details make this situation much worse.
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When speaking after the game in London, in which the Eagles lost to the Jaguars, Hurts branded his tumultuous week a "unique experience."
While reportedly being awake for 36 hours as part of a precaution after being found to have a blood clot in his leg, he then played in the game and flew home with the team.
According to various agencies and organizations including the CDC and NIH — and as many people outside the medical and football industries know — long-distance airplane travel is a known risk factor for blood clots. Still, transatlantic flights seemingly were risks the Eagles' medical staff felt was worth taking.
Nick Sirianni speaks to the media
Nick Sirianni had to answer questions on Jalen Hurts playing and being allowed to fly home with the Eagles despite being known to have a blood clot(Image: X @MySportsUpdate)
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If this is the case, why did he take that flight home? Could this have contributed to what happened next?
Since returning, it's been revealed that a clot dislodged and shot through his bloodstream, causing multiple pulmonary emboli in his lungs — meaning he has blood clots in both of his lungs.
The Eagles' official team statement said that Hurts was advised to undergo a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and to return to Philadelphia. They followed this up with a further statement with his agent, confirming the multiple pulmonary emboli and the decisions they have taken throughout the process.
But many questions remain unanswered — such as the flight back to London and being on the plane despite medical officials admitting they were aware of the blood clot.
Without publishing a further statement after this information was widely reported, they threw Sirianni to reporters to deal with these questions.
Sirianni is not a doctor. He has to trust what the medical staff tells him. It feels pretty safe to say that the head coach would not go against medical suggestions and put Hurts' health at risk.
But according to all reports, the medical officials themselves were responsible for these decisions. And if the Eagles' medical staff truly risked Hurts' health, there must be greater explanation from those in charge.
Jalen Hurts spoke to Mirror Sport U.S. ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars in London.
Jalen Hurts spoke to Mirror Sport U.S. during the time he had to be kept awake for a reported 36 hours(Image: Mirror Sport U.S.)
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I spoke to Hurts myself in an interview around 24 hours before kick-off. He gave me and many other reporters his time, as he appeared to be fully cognizant. Immediately after speaking with Hurts, I felt he seemed a little nonchalant, but that's not out of the ordinary for Hurts — a laid-back character.
He didn't exactly play a terrible game against the Jaguars, making a few mistakes in the loss, even though the team was missing several star players, including Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith.
After the pulmonary emboli in his lungs, Hurts is expected be out for the season.
The Eagles' last statement, published Monday, has not explained why Hurts was allowed on the plane or why he was allowed to play despite reports that he had not slept for 36 hours.
The statement confirms that they expect Hurts to make a full recovery and resume football activities when he can, without exactly ruling him out for the year.
That's not quite enough explanation on a serious issue from an NFL franchise surrounded by turmoil this season.