TL;DR
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs after an initial diagnosis of a superficial clot in his left calf. The team says he is taking blood thinners, cannot take part in contact activities and is expected to make a full recovery; his return timeline has not been reported.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, 28, has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots in both lungs after an earlier diagnosis of a superficial clot in his left calf. The Eagles said he is taking blood thinners and cannot participate in contact activities, while expressing confidence that he will make a full recovery.
The Eagles described Hurts’ outlook as positive in a post on Instagram. The team said, “Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery,” and added that it anticipates he will have no long-term effects. The statement did not provide a timetable for his return to football or disclose details of his treatment beyond the use of blood thinners.
Hurts first received a diagnosis of left calf superficial vein thrombosis after saying he had been “cleated” during a game against the Los Angeles Rams in early October. A follow-up ultrasound after an Oct. 11 game found that the clot had moved, and additional testing identified DVT and clots in both lungs, according to MedPage Today’s report.
Pulmonologist Gita Lisker of Northwell’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center told MedPage Today that an injury can trigger inflammation that raises clotting risk, while genetics may also contribute. She cautioned that the sequence is not known: a superficial clot might have extended into a deep vein, or the different clots might have been present at the same time.
Why Lung Clots Limit Football
Clots in the lungs, known as pulmonary emboli, make this more serious than a localized calf clot. DVT most often develops in a deep vein in the leg; a clot can travel to the lungs, where it can cause severe illness and, in some cases, death. Lisker told MedPage Today that not every DVT leads to a pulmonary embolism, although most pulmonary embolisms originate from DVT.
Blood thinners are standard treatment after DVT and pulmonary embolism, Lisker said. They reduce the chance of new clots and help stabilize existing ones while the body gradually absorbs them. The same medication can increase the risk of bleeding, which makes football tackles, cuts from cleats and head injuries a particular concern. The Eagles’ restriction on contact activity reflects that risk; it does not, by itself, establish how long Hurts will be away from games.
From Calf Diagnosis to Lung Clots
Superficial vein thrombosis involves veins close to the skin and can cause redness, swelling and inflammation. DVT affects deeper veins, commonly in the legs, and carries a greater risk of a clot traveling to the lungs. Lisker told MedPage Today that superficial thrombosis may go unnoticed, and its treatment can differ from the anticoagulation typically used for DVT and pulmonary embolism.
The report identifies a leg injury as a possible acute risk factor in Hurts’ case, not a proven cause. Lisker said injury-related inflammation could play a role, but the available information does not establish whether the reported football injury caused the clots. The Eagles have not publicly described a separate cause or reported a genetic risk factor.
“Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery.”
— Philadelphia Eagles, in an Instagram post
Cause and Return Date Unknown
The public information does not establish what caused the clots, whether the calf clot progressed into DVT or separate clots were already present, or how extensive the pulmonary clots are. The Eagles have not disclosed a detailed clinical report, the specific blood thinner, or the planned duration of Hurts’ treatment. Lisker said anticoagulation commonly lasts three to six months after an acute clotting event, depending on risk factors; that general range is not a confirmed treatment schedule for Hurts.
There is also no announced date for resuming practice or games. The team’s expectation of a full recovery is its stated prognosis, not a published timeline or a guarantee about when contact football will be safe.
Medical Progress Before Contact Play
Hurts is expected to continue treatment with blood thinners and remain out of contact activities while his condition is managed. The available report does not say when he will undergo further testing or what medical benchmarks will guide his return. Any decision about football will depend on updates from the team and his treating clinicians; a return date has not been announced.
For now, the clearest update is the Eagles’ expectation that Hurts will recover fully, alongside the immediate restriction against contact. Further statements from the team could clarify his treatment course, progress and playing status.
Key Questions
What blood clots were diagnosed in Jalen Hurts?
After an initial diagnosis of a superficial clot in his left calf, follow-up testing found deep vein thrombosis and clots in both lungs, according to MedPage Today’s report.
How serious are clots in the lungs?
Pulmonary emboli can have serious consequences and may be life-threatening. The report does not provide details about the size or extent of Hurts’ clots; the Eagles said they expect him to make a full recovery.
What treatment is Hurts receiving?
The Eagles said Hurts is being treated with blood thinners. These medications are commonly used after DVT and pulmonary embolism to prevent new clots and stabilize existing ones, according to pulmonologist Gita Lisker.
When can Hurts return to football?
No return date has been announced. The Eagles said he cannot take part in contact activities, and the report does not give a timeline for resuming practice or games.
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