Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts played a game hours after being diagnosed with a blood clot, a decision that has shocked the NFL world. The Eagles later said he will probably miss the rest of the season after multiple blood clots were found in his lungs, a life-threatening condition if not treated quickly.
Hurts first reported a problem to the team after a Sunday, 4 October defeat by the Los Angeles Rams, when another player stepped on his left calf. He trained all week and received treatment. The Eagles arrived in London on Saturday, 10 October, and Hurts visited the Cleveland Clinic that evening. An ultrasound showed a superficial blood clot in his calf, and he was cleared to play. He returned to the team hotel at about 3am before playing the full game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, then was cleared to fly home after a follow-up ultrasound was recommended within 72 hours.
A second ultrasound on 14 October showed the clot had moved, and he was ruled out of the next game. A joint statement on 19 October said further tests revealed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, multiple clots in both lungs. He will take blood-thinning medication and is expected to make a full recovery.
The NFL's chief medical officer, Dr Allen Sills, said the league has no protocol for situations like this and that those treating Hurts were "incredibly conservative." The NFL Players Association called for a full investigation, and the league and union later said they are working together to review the matter.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing