Jalen Hurts Facing Season-Long Absence After Blood Clots Spread To Lungs
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts could miss the rest of the 2026 season after tests showed deep vein thrombosis in his left leg and blood clots in both lungs, the team said by Oct. 19-20.[1]
Hurts was first hospitalized in London on Saturday, October 10, 2026, where doctors detected a superficial blood clot in his left calf and told him to stay awake overnight.[1] Despite that diagnosis, Hurts was cleared to play on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and threw for 222 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles' 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.[1] Head coach Nick Sirianni said he is not a medical expert and that he fully relies on the team's medical staff, declining to explain why Hurts flew and played after the initial clot was detected.[1]
Further testing by Oct. 19-20 found the clot had progressed to deep vein thrombosis and that Hurts had bilateral pulmonary emboli with clots in both lungs, prompting the team to say he could miss the season.[1] CBS medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook said typical treatment is at least three months of blood thinners and he noted long flights and limited movement can increase the risk that clots form or worsen.[1]
Initial reports focused on the October 10 London hospital visit and the decision to clear Hurts to play the next day, but the team's later medical update and imaging showing pulmonary emboli changed the outlook and raised questions about the travel and treatment timeline.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Saturday, October 10, 2026, Hurts was hospitalized in London and diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his left calf and was told to stay awake overnight.
- Despite that diagnosis, Hurts was cleared to play on Sunday, October 11, 2026, throwing for 222 yards and a touchdown in a 19-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London.
- By October 19-20, 2026, the diagnosis had progressed to deep vein thrombosis in his left leg and bilateral pulmonary emboli with clots in both lungs, and the Eagles said he could miss the rest of the season.
- CBS medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook said typical treatment is at least three months of blood thinners and highlighted long flights and limited movement as risk factors for clot formation and progression.
- Head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters he is not a medical expert and said he fully relies on the team's medical staff, declining to say why Hurts played and flew after the initial clot was detected.
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