Jalen Hurts blood clot probe to examine London trip and screening timing

The investigation into the events surrounding the discovery of Jalen Hurts' blood clots has begun in earnest, with no set timeline for completion, a source told OutKick on Sunday. The National Football League and the NFL Players Association are working together to review the matter, according to a joint statement from the league and the players union.

This review was demanded by the union last week after the Philadelphia Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve and announced he is on a blood thinner regimen to treat deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. Hurts cannot play until the clots are treated and he is off the blood thinners, a condition expected to keep him out for the rest of the regular season and possibly longer.

The Eagles have remained largely silent about the specific events leading to their October 19 announcement. Head coach Nick Sirianni took questions on the issue but offered no detailed answers, noting he is not a doctor. The team has not made its medical staff or general manager Howie Roseman available to answer questions about the matter.

Despite the team's silence, the NFL issued a strong defense of the Eagles' conduct. League chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills stated he has "complete confidence in the Eagles medical staff and their handling of this situation." The NFLPA expressed doubt regarding that confidence and exercised its right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement to have the situation investigated.

Commissioner Roger Goodell welcomed the move, stating, "Well, we welcome that... That's part of our process and that's fine." Goodell noted that Sills has reviewed the protocols followed and that the league is comfortable with what it sees. "Our chief medical officer has been through the protocols that were followed," Goodell said. "So, we welcome that and if that's what they did, they have that right."

Specific questions the investigation will address have not been released, but several issues appear obvious. One area of scrutiny is the role of international travel. Goodell was previously skeptical that the trip to and from London played a significant role in the medical event. "I'm not sure how much international travel had to do with this in that context," Goodell said last week. "That's for maybe the medical professionals to tell us if that had any impact. I haven't heard that to date."

Both the NFL and the NFLPA have maintained that their primary stance is caring for Hurts. Goodell emphasized that a medical evaluation took place and that protocols were followed. He said the priority is Hurts' health and long-term future as a player, noting that everyone in the league cares deeply about him. Goodell stated he is more worried about Hurts' health than anything else, but affirmed that the protocols were followed. The process aims to ensure those protocols were adhered to, with Sills having reviewed the steps taken.