EmailPrintPHILADELPHIA -- Independent medical experts will examine the circumstances around Jalen Hurts' blood clots and share their findings with the NFL and NFL Players Association as part of the forthcoming joint review, according to a league executive.The NFL provided some additional details about the review as well as its protocols for tracking blood clots in response to an inquiry from U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware."As outlined by the league and NFLPA's Collective Bargaining Agreement, mutually agreed-upon independent medical experts will review the matter and share their conclusions and recommendations with both parties," executive vice president of communications, public affairs and health policy Jeff Miller said in a statement released by Blunt Rochester's office Friday."The League and Players Association also have several medical committees that review and monitor player injury data closely. For at least the past decade, the NFL has tracked clotting disorders among players every season through a subcommittee of its General Medical Committee, and this information is shared with the NFLPA. Following the ongoing joint review, the League and NFLPA will consider appropriate next steps, including whether this case points to a need for additional league-wide guidance."The joint review into Hurts' situation has not officially begun as the NFL and NFLPA work to hammer out its parameters.Hurts, 28, is expected to sit out the rest of the 2026 season after doctors discovered multiple blood clots in the quarterback's lungs in October.He was originally diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in London before the Philadelphia Eagles' Week 5 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in the game, flew home with the team and practiced in full the following Wednesday before a follow-up ultrasound that evening showed the blood clot had moved.Hurts was placed on injured reserve Oct. 17. Two days later, his agent, Nicole Lynn, and the team released a joint statement about Hurts, saying, "After further testing and monitoring, the current diagnosis is a deep vein thrombosis, as well as bilateral pulmonary emboli. He is clinically stable and has no significant functional limitations."His treatment involves anticoagulation or "blood thinners," which prevents him from participating in any contact activities, including football.The NFLPA has not invoked Article 39 of the CBA, which allows the union to launch a formal investigation into the health, safety or medical care provided by club-affiliated personnel, but as the statement shows, some of its guidelines will be used during this process.Under the CBA, the neutral physicians must issue a written report within 60 days of their selection, and their recommendations to address and correct any issues need to be acted upon by both parties.Blunt Rochester penned a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in October seeking answers on the circumstances surrounding Hurts and clarity on the league's blood clot protocols.In a statement Friday, Blunt Rochester expressed gratitude to the NFL for providing an update while encouraging the league to use its platform to further education around blood clots."We welcome the opportunity to provide additional information, and find ways to support your efforts around raising awareness and improving outcomes related to blood clot disorders," Miller wrote.
