‘There must be a full investigation’: Players union refuses to move on from Jalen Hurts situation

On October 4, 2026, the Philadelphia Eagles faced scrutiny over their handling of quarterback Jalen Hurts' undisclosed blood clot. The NFL appears prepared to move past the incident, but the players' union remains unsatisfied. The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) released a statement on Tuesday, demanding a "full investigation" into the medical care Hurts received during his time with the team.

According to the union, the league had previously informed them that it did not intend to review the situation. Hurts had sought treatment for a calf injury on October 8 before traveling to London, where a superficial blood clot was discovered in his left calf on October 10. Despite this, he played in the Eagles' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars the following day and was cleared to return home with the team that night.

A follow-up ultrasound on October 14 revealed that the clot had moved, leading to his placement on injured reserve. The Eagles subsequently announced that his diagnosis had been updated to deep vein thrombosis, along with bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning clots had developed in both of his lungs. The team stated that Hurts' prognosis was "very good," but he was expected to miss the remainder of the season while on blood thinners.

The NFL's conclusion was that the process that led to Hurts being cleared to play in London was handled appropriately, and the league stated it would not penalize the Eagles. However, the NFLPA is not convinced, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive investigation to ensure players receive the highest level of care and protection. It remains to be seen if the league will decide to conduct such an investigation.