The NFL Players’ Association (NFLPA) has called for a full investigation into how the Eagles’ medical staff handled the diagnosis of a blood clot in star quarterback Jalen Hurts.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomes it.
“We welcome that,” Goodell said at a Wednesday press conference when asked about the players’ union’s demands for a full investigation.
He continued, “That’s fine. Our chief medical officers have been through the protocols that were followed. So we welcome that. That’s what they did; they have that right.”
“Hurts was diagnosed Oct. 10 with a superficial blood clot on his calf and then played the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 11,” Yahoo! Sports reports. “In the days that followed last week, doctors found the blood clot had moved not only into the deep veins of his calf but also into both of his lungs.
“The Eagles placed him on injured reserve as he undergoes treatment with blood thinners.”
However, questions and suspicions turned into outrage on Monday after a report said doctors had told Hurts not to sleep the night before the team’s game against the Jaguars out of fear for his health.
That outrage only increased after Monday’s diagnosis of a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) coupled with pulmonary emboli (blood clots in the lung), given that the team allowed Hurts to fly back from London immediately after the game when prolonged travel is contraindicated for DVT in most cases.
On Tuesday, NFL Executive Vice President Jeff Miller harshly denounced what he called “the unfounded criticism that was leveled against” Eagles team doctors.
Hours later, the NFLPA called for a full investigation.
“The NFLPA is not aware of any NFL investigations into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the union said in a statement. “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.”
In response, Goodell defended the league and the Eagles’ medical staff.
“I think our protocols were incredibly good there.”
“The most important thing here is Jalen’s health, ultimately,” Goodell said. “I’m more worried about his health ultimately, but the protocols were followed.”
