As another full Sunday of football approaches, there’s a new development in the situation regarding Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is likely out for the rest of the year after a “superficial” blood clot became a deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in each lung.
“The NFL Players Association and the NFL are working together to review the matter,” the league and union said in a joint statement.
This implies that the NFLPA, as mentioned earlier todayhas not yet formally exercised its unilateral right to conduct an investigation under Article 39, Section 5(f) of the Collective Agreement. However, some kind of investigation is inevitable.
And while it’s always good for management and labor to work together through potential tough spots, the NFLPA risks the perception of cooperation with the NFL’s apparent efforts (as marked by a quick approval of the care provided to Hurts and a vehement rejection of any review of the matter by chief medical officer Allen Sills under the circumstances).
There are too many unanswered questions, too many possible explanations that point to someone making a serious mistake in quickly diagnosing the blood clot in Hurts’ leg, allowing him to fly to London with a blood clot in his leg, allowing him to play two Sundays ago with a blood clot in his leg, and allowing him to fly out of London with a blood clot.
Many want answers. Many want the truth. The big question is whether the NFL can ultimately handle the truth.
