Dr. Brian Sutterer explained why Hurts’ blood clot could potentially end his season. Hurts first reported calf discomfort on Oct. 8 after being cleated in the Oct. 4 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams. An initial ultrasound in London revealed a superficial blood clot, but team doctors cleared him to play without limitations against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
A follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday showed the clot had moved, prompting the Eagles to rule him out against the Carolina Panthers. After the decision to place Hurts on Injured Reserve, Dr. Sutterer warned that the quarterback could miss significantly more than the mandatory four weeks. On social media, he noted that there is no need to go on IR unless blood thinners are involved and cautioned that Hurts’ season could be over, depending on how the clot progresses.
In a YouTube discussion, Dr. Sutterer explained that Hurts has superficial venous thrombosis (SVT), a clot near the skin. While SVT often responds to basic treatment, there is a risk it can extend into a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. Studies indicate that roughly 25% of SVT patients present with a DVT at initial evaluation, and about 10% develop one later. If the clot moves into deeper veins, treatment typically involves blood thinners for a period of time, and there is a substantial risk that contact sports could pose life-threatening bleeding risks for players on anticoagulants. This keeps a season-ending timeline within consideration.
If the clot were to move, blood thinners are commonly used, depending on the situation. The network reporting around Hurts noted that while some within the organization might view it as week-to-week, others around the league believe the blood clot could sideline him for several weeks. The decision to place Hurts on Injured Reserve indicates a higher-risk category, and the possibility of a longer than four-week absence remains on the table.
Tanner McKee was named the starting quarterback for the 2-3 Eagles against the Carolina Panthers. No return timeline has been set, leaving the final decision to Hurts’ medical team.
Notes on the broader NFL landscape accompany this update, including discussions about Hurts’ status and potential implications for the Eagles’ season.
