Jalen Hurts’ return remains uncertain as Eagles defend medical decisions

Sirianni backs medical staff

Sirianni said the medical staff puts players’ health first. He also pointed to the doctors and trainers who helped make 21 of the Eagles’ 22 starters available for the Super Bowl, saying they continue to care deeply for the players.

Hospital stay and diagnosis

ESPN sources said Hurts remained hospitalized in London until 4 a.m. Sunday, before the Eagles faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Oct. 11 international game. The team publicly announced on Oct. 15 that he would be sidelined because of a superficial blood clot.

The later diagnosis was deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning clots had reached Hurts’ lungs. The team’s statement did not say when the Super Bowl-winning quarterback might return.

Risks and possible factors

Sutton said being young, fit and healthy does not remove the risks associated with blood clots. She raised the question of what caused Hurts’ clots. Possible factors that can raise the chance of a clot traveling to the lungs include extended immobility or travel, injury, inflammation and inherited genetic risks, Sutton said. A pulmonary embolism can cause lasting lung damage, low blood oxygen and harm to other organs when they do not receive enough oxygen.