Jalen Hurts investigation still hasn't started

An investigation regarding the Jalen Hurts situation has not begun.

This is despite a widespread presumption that the NFL and the NFL Players Association had already launched a joint investigation into the decisions made about Hurts' health before, during, and after the Eagles' London trip.

Hurts, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Oct. 11 after doctors cleared him to compete, according to the Eagles.

He did so with a blood clot in his leg.

The timeline of events began earlier in October.

According to the Eagles, Hurts reported calf discomfort to the training staff after practice on Oct. 8.

He told staff members he had been struck by a cleat during Philadelphia's Oct. 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Hurts received treatment, practiced in full on Oct. 9, and appeared on the team's practice report before traveling to London.

An ultrasound performed on Oct. 10, after the team's flight and walkthrough, revealed a superficial blood clot.

The Eagles said their medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the findings and determined that movement was important and that Hurts could play safely.

Doctors recommended another ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight, according to the team.

Hurts played without restrictions against Jacksonville.

After returning to Philadelphia, he received treatment and practiced in full on Oct. 14.

A follow-up ultrasound that evening showed movement in the clot, prompting the Eagles to rule him out against Carolina.

Five days later, on Oct. 19, the team and Hurts' agent, Nicole Lynn, announced the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli — meaning blood clots in both lungs.

They said Hurts could continue conditioning and remain involved with the team while undergoing treatment.

"Jalen's prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery," the statement said.

"We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when he is off blood thinners."

"In the meantime, he will remain active around the team and continue to condition."

"More importantly, we anticipate that he will have no long-term effects."

The diagnosis involves conditions that require urgent medical attention.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a clot develops in a deep vein, most commonly in the legs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

A pulmonary embolism occurs when part of a clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.

The return of Hurts to the team's facility on Wednesday, Nov. 4, was a reminder that plenty of questions remain regarding the decisions made as to his health before flying to London with a blood clot in his leg, playing in London with a blood clot in his leg, and flying back from London with a blood clot in his leg.

A widespread presumption has emerged that the NFL and NFLPA have commenced a joint investigation into the care and recommendations Hurts received from team and league doctors.

However, the investigation has yet to start.

The statement issued by the league and the NFLPA said only that they are "working together to review the matter."

A formal investigation has not yet begun, of any kind.

The union has the right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement to initiate an investigation.

That hasn't happened, either.

If the NFLPA will be working with the NFL in any official investigation, it's critical that the union insist on a process that will be fair, objective, and transparent.

It can't be a CYA exercise.

Basically, it can't give off the same vibes that have emanated from the team and the league, to date.

The union can't afford to create the impression that it's complicit in a cover-up.

And the process needs to lead to real change, aimed at ensuring that someone disconnected from the team (and possibly from the league, especially as to international games) will be involved in medical decisions as to potentially serious health situations.

The NFL and the NFLPA already employ an unaffiliated doctor when it comes to diagnosing concussions and clearing players to return after suffering concussions.

Other health conditions require a similar layer of detachment, in order to ensure that the shared incentives of the team and the player for the player to play will not override the importance of treating the player like a patient.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni provided an update about Hurts on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

"I've talked to him and am in constant communication with him and know he's resting and recovering," Sirianni told reporters.

"I miss him like crazy."