David Chao, who served as the team doctor for the San Diego Chargers for 17 years, has identified the word "movement" as the critical factor determining the duration of Jalen Hurts' absence from the Philadelphia Eagles. The quarterback is out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers after a follow-up ultrasound revealed changes in a small blood clot discovered four days earlier.
The Eagles initially identified the clot as "superficial" following an ultrasound conducted in London on Saturday. At that time, the team cleared Hurts to play. After returning to Philadelphia, a new ultrasound performed on Wednesday detected "movement in the small blood clot," prompting the decision to bench him for the upcoming contest.
Dr. Chao, founder of the sports injury insights site SICScore.com, told OutKick that the term "movement" is medically ambiguous. It could indicate that the superficial clot is propagating and growing larger while remaining superficial. Alternatively, it could signify that the clot has migrated deeper into the vein, becoming a deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.
The distinction carries significant implications for Hurts' availability. If the clot remains superficial, it may still move and stay in that category. However, if it has become a deep vein thrombosis, Chao estimates the absence would last multiple weeks at least. In cases of DVT in the leg, recovery timelines are measured in months rather than weeks, potentially extending to a season-ending absence.
A further risk associated with DVT is that a clot can break loose and travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism. Chao stated that such an event would rule Hurts out for the season. Treating a pulmonary embolism requires strong anticoagulation medicine, which prohibits player clearance due to bleeding risks.
While minor cuts are not a primary concern, Chao noted that internal organ bleeding and brain bleeds are significant fears when athletes are on strong anticoagulants. The strength of the medication required dictates whether a player can be cleared to return to action.
The timeline of events has also raised questions about the impact of air travel. The clot was first detected after the Eagles flew to London, and the subsequent "movement" was discovered after they flew back to Philadelphia. Chao acknowledged that long flights can affect patients with clots but emphasized that proper medical management mitigates this risk.
If medical staff urged Hurts to move, used pulsatile devices on his leg, applied compression stockings, or administered blood thinners during the flight, Chao considered the travel defensible. Conversely, if staff dismissed the condition as insignificant without intervention, it would warrant scrutiny. The Eagles have not yet revealed the full breadth or depth of Hurts' condition beyond the initial ultrasound findings.