The Philadelphia Eagles thought Jalen Hurts was healthy enough to travel to London and play against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Days later, the quarterback learned that blood clots had reached his lungs, ending his 2026 season and raising serious questions about the decisions made along the way.

For Eagles legend Donovan McNabb, the most troubling part is how much Hurts had to trust the people responsible for his care. McNabb has now spoken out about the medical decisions that allowed Hurts to play, and his concerns go beyond losing a franchise quarterback for the season.

Donovan McNabb Raises Concerns Over Jalen Hurts’ Medical Clearance

McNabb questioned the Eagles’ handling of Hurts’ condition after a blood clot initially discovered in his left calf progressed to deep vein thrombosis and multiple pulmonary emboli in both lungs. The diagnosis effectively ended Hurts’ 2026 season and led to him being placed on injured reserve.

The concerns began after team doctors discovered a superficial blood clot on Oct. 10, days after Hurts first reported left calf pain on Oct. 8. Hurts flew to London and later received clearance from specialists to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 11.

McNabb found the decision to allow the quarterback to make the transatlantic trip particularly troubling. “To be cleared to fly to London after you’ve already been diagnosed with having blood clots, that’s kind of when I begin to get worried because now that’s a long flight that you’re on,” McNabb said.

However, the clot was discovered after an ultrasound in London following his Oct. 9 journey.

He also questioned the sequence of events after Hurts arrived in England, where the quarterback reportedly went to a hospital immediately after landing. McNabb highlighted the fact that Hurts received medical attention but was subsequently cleared to participate in the game.

“Then we got word that when he got off the plane in London, he immediately went to the hospital. The doctor told him that he wouldn’t be able to sleep for a long period of time and then still cleared him to play in the game,” McNabb said.

The former Eagles quarterback also pointed to the return flight to Philadelphia. Follow-up scans revealed that Hurts’ condition had progressed, with tests on Oct. 19 confirming clots in both lungs.

“Not only that, now fly back to Philadelphia on another long flight. Then we get word a couple of days later that the blood clots have now gone to his lungs,” McNabb said.

He acknowledged that Hurts had relied on the medical professionals responsible for his care, making the developments especially concerning.

“He was cleared to play and participate in physical activity. He’s trusting his doctors, trusting everyone else. That, to me, is terrifying for any player or any individual,” McNabb said.

Hurts is reportedly stable and expected to recover, with a three-month course of blood thinners planned.

The NFL has said it will not discipline or investigate the Eagles’ medical staff, while the NFL Players Association has called for a full investigation into the quarterback’s treatment.