The NFL defended Philadelphia's handling of Jalen Hurts and his blood clot diagnosis at the owners meetings in New York on Tuesday. Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills addressed reporters directly, characterizing the Eagles' approach as "appropriately guarded" throughout the process.
Hurts missed time earlier this season after the discovery of a blood clot, a serious medical situation that required careful management from both the team and league officials. The Eagles' medical staff coordinated with the NFL to ensure proper protocols were followed before the quarterback returned to action.
Sills' public backing signals the league found no issues with how Philadelphia handled the situation. The NFL has specific clearance procedures for players dealing with blood clots, and the Eagles followed them. This matters because teams face scrutiny whenever star players miss games for medical reasons. Fans and media often question whether teams are being overly cautious or recklessly rushing players back.
The statement essentially closes the book on any debate about whether the Eagles took appropriate steps. The league's top medical voice confirmed they did. Hurts remains Philadelphia's franchise quarterback and a central piece of their playoff hopes heading forward.