The Science Behind Jalen Hurts’ Blood Clot Injury

The Philadelphia Eagles confirmed that quarterback Jalen Hurts will miss the team's game against the Carolina Panthers due to a superficial blood clot. The blood clot was discovered via an ultrasound prior to the Eagles' 1917 defeat in London. However, Hurts was cleared to play following a consultation with medical staff. Hurts underwent another ultrasound, which revealed movement in the blood clot, prompting the team to sit the 28-year-old for the next game. The injury is the product of a thrombus, or blood clot, developing deep in your body because your veins are injured or the blood flowing through them is too sluggish, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The injury has varying outcomes, with Hall of Famer Chris Bosh having to cut his career short in 2016 after suffering consecutive blood clots in his leg. Bosh was taking blood thinning medication to treat the injury, which left him susceptible to excessive bleeding due to the contact nature of basketball. In 2019, NBA player Brandon Ingram, then a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, was diagnosed with a deep venous thrombosis in his right arm, ruling him out for the rest of that season. The 27-year-old, who hasn't had any blood clot issues since, underwent thoracic outlet decompression surgery before going on to win Most Improved Player of the Year the following season. Similarly, San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama missed a large portion of the 2024-25 season due to deep vein thrombosis, but would return the following campaign.