Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sidelined for the rest of the season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in his lungs, a development that casts a harsh light on the team's decision to let him play last week.
Hurts, who had been dealing with what was initially described as a superficial blood clot, reportedly went to extraordinary lengths to suit up for the Eagles' London matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Hurts was told not to sleep as a precaution after the initial diagnosis, and he remained awake for roughly 36 hours before starting the game.
“How committed is Jalen Hurts to football?” Pelissero asked. “After initially being diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in London, doctors told him not to sleep as a precaution, so he had been awake for roughly 36 hours when he started against the Jaguars, throwing for 220 yards and a TD.”
The Eagles nearly pulled off a win in that game, but a late kickoff return set up a field goal for Jacksonville, sealing a 19-17 loss. Hurts' effort was undeniable, but the decision to let him play under such circumstances has sparked outrage among fans and analysts alike.
Fans and Critics Question the Eagles' Handling
Social media erupted after the details of Hurts' sleepless ordeal came to light. Many questioned why the medical staff allowed him to take the field at all.
- “A lot of people in the Eagles organization should be fired for how this hurts situation was handled,” one user wrote.
- “Holy f—k fire the entire Eagles training staff into the sun,” another commented.
- “WHY DID THEY LET HIM PLAY,” a fan asked. “These doctors need to be investigated.”
- “Not to sleep is crazy. Being told not to sleep and then playing a football game later just doesn’t make sense,” another person replied.
Even prominent voices like Jemele Hill weighed in, asking, “Serious question: Why even let him play?”
Despite the criticism, many fans expressed admiration for Hurts' leadership. “Jalen Hurts is the single greatest leader I have ever seen lead this football team,” one supporter wrote.
Medical Concerns and Season End
The blood clots are believed to have been caused by a cleat to the calf during Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. After further imaging over the weekend, doctors found additional clots in his lungs, leading to the decision to place him on blood thinners and shut him down for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Hurts is expected to make a full recovery with no long-term side effects, but the situation has raised serious questions about the team's medical protocols. The Eagles have already faced fan backlash over the handling of the injury, and the team has now officially placed him on injured reserve, as reported by the team.
With Hurts out, backup quarterback McKee is set to take over the starting role. The Eagles will need to rally around their new signal-caller, but the loss of their franchise quarterback is a massive blow to their playoff hopes.
Hurts' willingness to push through such a serious medical issue speaks to his toughness, but it also highlights a troubling pattern in professional sports where players are often willing to risk their health for the sake of the game. As the Eagles move forward, the focus will be on ensuring Hurts' long-term well-being, even as the team faces an uncertain future on the field.
