Updated October 21, 2026, 2:56 p.m. ET
NEW YORK (AP) — A day after saying an investigation into the care of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is suffering from potentially season-ending blood clots, would not be necessary, the NFL now welcomes such a review after the players’ union requested one, Commissioner Roger Goodell said.
“Well, we welcome it,” Goodell said at the end of the fall league meeting in Manhattan. “It’s part of our process. It’s very good.”
The NFL Players Association, via a statement released Tuesday evening, called for a “full investigation into what happened” with Hurts.
“The NFLPA is not aware of any investigation by the NFL into the medical care provided to Jalen Hurts,” the statement said. “Moreover, the league had previously informed the union that it did not plan to review the care he had received.
“Before drawing any conclusions about how this situation was handled, a thorough investigation must be conducted into what happened. Determining the facts is essential to ensure that players receive the highest level of care and protection in the future.”
Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, detailed the care Hurts received before Hurts played an Oct. 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, England. He also provided a timeline that contradicted previous reports that Hurts had not slept for 36 hours before kickoff.
“Any idea or suggestion that a team doctor is influenced by a coach, a general manager or a team owner — that just doesn’t happen,” Sills said.
Sills added: “The idea that there are external factors or that one of our doctors would put a player in danger is nonsense.”
Hurts was initially diagnosed with a superficial blood clot, which was announced Thursday, Oct. 15, along with the news that he would miss the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers. But on Monday, the team and a representative for Hurts released a joint statement describing how the superficial blood clot progressed to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and multiple clots in his lungs.
According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the investigation will be conducted through the Joint Accountability and Care Committee shared between the two entities. Within 60 days of beginning an investigation, at least two neutral physicians (or other subject matter experts) will be selected to investigate and prepare a written report. The report should “include their recommendations on steps to resolve and correct any issues that the parties need to address,” according to the CBA.
“Our chief medical officer followed the protocols that were followed,” Goodell said Wednesday. “So we welcome this (investigation). If that’s what they do, that’s their right.”
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