Philadelphia – Veteran NFL agent Leigh Steinberg told OutKick that the recent blood‑clot situation involving Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts should serve as a wake‑up call for the entire league. Steinberg said that if a quarterback he represented faced a similar issue, he would have immediately contacted the team’s medical staff and demanded answers.
Health concerns and league response
Hurts was diagnosed with deep‑vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, conditions that forced him onto injured reserve and ended his season. The NFL and the NFL Players Association announced on Oct. 25 that they are working together to review the matter after the union called for an investigation.
Steinberg praised the Eagles’ medical chief, Allen Sills, stating, “I have complete confidence in the Eagles’ medical staff and their handling of this situation.” He also noted that the league’s medical chief has expressed confidence in the team’s care.
Agent’s role in player safety
Steinberg emphasized that an agent’s responsibilities extend beyond contract negotiations. “This just highlights the active role that every agent has to play in safeguarding the health both short term and long term,” he said, adding that agents must sometimes set football aside to protect a player’s well‑being.
He commended Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, describing her as “diligent” and “excellent,” and clarified that his comments should not be taken as an accusation of negligence.
Questions about the London game
The controversy centers on Hurts being cleared to play in the Oct. 11 London game after an ultrasound identified a superficial clot in his left calf. The Eagles said the player sought treatment on Oct. 8 after a collision in the Oct. 4 game against the Rams, practiced fully, and was cleared by both team and London doctors.
After returning to Philadelphia, a follow‑up ultrasound on Oct. 14 showed movement in the clot, leading to his placement on injured reserve on Oct. 17. Steinberg called the decision to play in London an “open question” and stressed that only medical experts can determine whether earlier decisions were appropriate.
Potential league‑wide impact
Steinberg warned that the progression from a superficial clot to a potentially life‑threatening condition could put the league on alert, prompting stricter protocols for future cases. He suggested that other agents should be discussing the situation to ensure player safety remains a top priority.
Beyond health, Steinberg highlighted the financial stakes tied to franchise quarterbacks. Hurts signed a five‑year, $255 million extension in 2023, and his absence forces the Eagles to rely on rookie Tanner McKee, a sixth‑round pick, which Steinberg described as a “precipitous drop off in talent.” He warned that losing a starter can dramatically shift the balance of power in football.
Long‑term outlook
According to the Eagles and Lynn, Hurts is clinically stable, expected to make a full recovery, and will continue conditioning while on blood thinners, which prohibit contact activities. Steinberg concluded that safeguarding players from long‑term health consequences must remain a fiduciary responsibility for agents and teams alike.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
