Jalen Hurts’ Pulmonary Embolism Raises Alarm Over NFL Travel Protocols for Blood Clot Risks
Eagles QB's pulmonary embolism raises questions about pre-flight screening for deep vein thrombosis
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after doctors discovered blood clots in his lungs, a diagnosis that has shifted scrutiny from injury-report semantics to the medical risks of air travel for athletes with suspected deep vein thrombosis.
Hurts played against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 26 after the team listed him with a calf injury. Subsequent testing revealed the calf issue was a deep vein thrombosis, and that clots had already traveled to his lungs — a pulmonary embolism that can be fatal if untreated.
The Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve and began anticoagulant therapy. In a statement, the team said he would be eligible to resume contact activities once he is off blood thinners, though no timetable was provided.
Medical experts have long flagged long-haul flights as a risk factor for clot propagation. The Eagles flew to London five days before the game. Cabin pressure, dehydration, and prolonged immobility can accelerate the movement of a clot from the leg to the lungs, a sequence that may have played out in Hurts’ case.
Former NBA star Chris Bosh saw his career end after recurrent pulmonary emboli. Tennis champion Serena Williams survived a life-threatening embolism in 2011 after a transatlantic flight. Both cases prompted their leagues to review travel and screening protocols.
The NFL and NFLPA have no league-wide mandate requiring ultrasound screening for calf injuries before air travel. Teams rely on individual medical staffs to assess risk. The Eagles have not disclosed whether Hurts underwent vascular imaging before the London trip.
Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported the league will not discipline Philadelphia over its injury-report designation. That determination addresses a paperwork question, not a clinical one. The NFLPA has not announced a formal investigation into the medical clearance process.
Hurts, 26, signed a five-year, $255 million extension in 2023. His return hinges on resolution of the clots, tolerance of anticoagulation, and clearance from hematologists. The Eagles’ 2026 playoff hopes now rest with backup Kenny Pickett.
