Awkward Interaction Between Nick Sirianni and Reporter Over Eagles Letting Jalen Hurts Fly With Blood Clots

Nick Sirianni told the media that he's not qualified to speak on Jalen Hurts' condition because he's a football coach and not a doctor.

Awkward Interaction Between Nick Sirianni and Reporter Over Eagles Letting Jalen Hurts Fly With Blood Clots

Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts (Image via IMAGO)

Instead of sending general manager Howie Roseman or the head of the medical team to talk about the blood clots in Jalen Hurts’ lungs, the Eagles sent head coach Nick Sirianni to face the music. Reporters put Sirianni through the wringer.

The Eagles lost three of their first five games with Sirianni shouldering most of the blame. The 45-year-old has been an unpopular figure in the City of Brotherly Love despite delivering a Super Bowl in 2024. Fan groups pointed fingers at Sirianni for the Eagles’ offensive struggles and WR AJ Brown‘s departure to the Patriots.

Hurts also shouldered some of it, but played his natural game through the first weeks of the 2026 season. He racked up 9 touchdowns, one interception, and a QBR of 84.7.

Reports circulated that ‘superficial blood clots’ in his legs could force the Eagles to bench Hurts for the Week 6 matchup against the Carolina Panthers in the English capital. Hurts traveled with the team while staying under medical supervision. Hurts didn’t take a single snap in London as the Eagles lost their fourth game of the season.

Per ESPN reports, he wasn’t allowed to sleep for 36 hours. Hurts also made the return journey back to Philly in that condition. On Monday, the Eagles sent Sirianni to answer questions about Hurts’ condition rather than a specialist or the GM.

Sirianni repeatedly told reporters that he’s just a football coach and he can’t answer questions about a player’s health. He said via Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team:

You know, guys, I’m not a medical expert. I lean on our guys in all those situations, right? I’m a football coach. I lean on our medical experts in every situation. I have full trust and full faith in them. It’s not just me that has major care for our players, it’s them as well. And so we are all there, and I’m glad to be part of an organization that cares about the guys the way our guys do.

One reporter asked Sirianni if he had spoken with Hurts about the entire ordeal. Sirianni said he “always” talks to his players, but refused to share details of their private conversation with the media.

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Is Jalen Hurts still playing football?

In a joint statement from the Eagles and Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn revealed that doctors discovered a deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolism in the Super Bowl winner’s legs. The clots later traveled upwards and entered Hurts’ lungs.

Awkward Interaction Between Nick Sirianni and Reporter Over Eagles Letting Jalen Hurts Fly With Blood Clots
Jalen Hurts (Image via IMAGO)

The statement described Hurts as “clinically stable” with “no significant functional limitations.” Per ESPN and Philly media reports, Hurts will be treated with an anticoagulant (blood thinner). The statement read:

Jalen’s prognosis is very good, and we expect a full recovery. We anticipate that he will have the opportunity to resume contact football activities when off the 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 doctors have barred Hurts from contact activities, including football. Adam Schefter reported that Hurts is expected to miss the rest of the season.

Former sixth-round draft pick Tanner McKee started against the Panthers. McKee went 26 of 45 passes for 215 yards and a touchdown in the 25–14 loss.

Next week, the Eagles host bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. McKee remains the starter for now, but the Eagles could elevate Joe Milton from the practice squad, whom they signed from the Cowboys just days earlier.

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