NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he would welcome an investigation into the medical care received by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts after the player was sidelined indefinitely with blood clots.
Hurts was diagnosed with a left calf superficial vein thrombosis before playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on October 11. The team took a flight back to the United States following the game.
On Monday, Hurts’ agent announced that he had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, a condition in which blood clots travel from a deep vein, usually in the leg, and block arteries in the lungs.
The case prompted questions from fans and commentators over why Hurts was allowed to play and take a transatlantic flight after the initial diagnosis. The NFL Players Association called on Tuesday for a full investigation.
“We welcome that. That’s part of our process,” Goodell told reporters on Wednesday following the conclusion of the league’s two-day fall owners meeting in New York.
“Our chief medical officer (has) been through the protocols that were followed so we welcome that. If that’s what they do, they have that right.”
Multiple NFL executives voiced support for the Eagles at the opening day of the meetings on Tuesday, as reporters piled into a Manhattan conference room to ask pointed questions over how the team treated its prized 2025 Super Bowl MVP.
The questions continued on Wednesday, when Goodell defended the protocols that were followed and supported the league’s medical officials.
“I’m more worried about his health ultimately,” said Goodell. “We have the greatest medical advisors and people that are working on the health of our players.”
Hurts’ agent previously said he was clinically stable and was being treated with blood thinners, which prevents him from playing. He is expected to miss the remainder of the NFL season.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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