Jalen Hurts Out For Season Due To Serious Blood Clot Issues

Hurts sidelined for remainder of the season

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the rest of the season. Doctors found multiple blood clots in his lungs, which will keep him out for at least three months while he undergoes treatment with blood thinners.

His agent, Nicole Lynn, and the Eagles released a statement on Monday detailing his health condition. Hurts suffers from deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. This condition means a clot traveled through his bloodstream from his legs into his lungs. He was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Panthers and put on injured reserve.

How the blood clot developed over time

The medical situation began on October 15 in London before the Eagles played the Jacksonville Jaguars. Doctors first diagnosed Hurts with a superficial blood clot after an ultrasound. At the time, the team stated that mobility was vital and that he could safely play in the game.

However, a follow up ultrasound last Wednesday showed the clot had shifted. Dr. Jordan K. Schaefer, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan specializing in thrombosis, explained that about one out of four people with superficial vein thrombosis also have deep vein thrombosis.

Superficial blood clots carry a risk of extending into the deep vein system. From there, the clots can move to the lungs and cause a serious pulmonary embolism.

Treatment and recovery factors for athletes

Standard treatment for a deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism requires at least three months of blood thinners. Patients on these medications must avoid contact sports because of the higher risk of bleeding.

Movement is usually recommended after a blood clot to help promote blood flow, as staying still is a known risk factor. Long distance travel is another known risk factor for developing blood clots.

Reports mentioned that Hurts was told not to sleep after his initial diagnosis in London. However, Dr. Schaefer noted that telling patients to avoid sleep is not a standard recommendation for managing superficial blood clots.