In a statement released on Monday, the Eagles announced that Jalen Hurts' initial blood clots diagnosis is more significant than initially thought, with ESPN reporting that he's expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season.
Hurts was first diagnosed with a superficial blood clot in his calf prior to the Eagles' Week 5 matchup against the Jaguars in London, a game he still played in. But after further testing, it was revealed that the quarterback is dealing with multiple blood clots in his lungs, diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli.
In the wake of the most recent update on Hurts, fans have criticized NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson for a take he shared about the Eagles quarterback following Hurts' initial diagnosis.
Here's what Robinson said about Hurts' blood clots and why he's received backlash.
MORE JALEN HURTS NEWS:
- Full timeline of Jalen Hurts' blood clot issues, information
- How Jalen Hurts' diagnosis compares to past athletes with blood clots
- What is a superficial blood clot?
- What to know about Jalen Hurts' recovery timeline
- Philly's ongoing timeline of sports misery
Fans criticize NFL Network analyst over controversial Jalen Hurts take
In the lead-up to the Eagles' Week 6 game against the Panthers, Hurts was ruled out with what was initially diagnosed as a blood clot in his calf. He was placed on IR on Saturday.
With the Eagles off to a rough start in 2026 as a team, from their now-four-game losing streak to a list of injuries that has included Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Landon Dickerson and more, it has been a stretch of misfortune for Philadelphia.
Robinson, speaking on NFL Network prior to Week 6 with Hurts ruled out, said that "from the outside looking in," he thought the Eagles were trying to "pin the outcome of this season on Jalen Hurts, just so they can have an excuse later on to move on from Jalen Hurts."
"And, again, I’m not saying I know nothing, guys," he continued. "But if I’m just playing devil’s advocate here, and I’m thinking that way, if I’m Jalen Hurts, or anybody in Jalen Hurts’ camp, I’m saying, ‘Well if everybody’s hurt, I’m hurt, too.’"
Robinson said he "isn't saying a superficial blood clot isn't serious," but advised fans to compare them to a "real blood clot."
"I'm just saying, to me, it looked like Jalen is kind of getting himself out of the fray," Robinson said. "This is a lost season. He's pulling himself out so it doesn't look like, 'It's on me.'"
The show's host, Chris Rose, then showed reluctance for Robinson to jump to conclusions on the "medical stuff."
“if I'm Jalen Hurts − or anybody in Jalen Hurts' camp − I'm saying, 'Well if everybody's hurt, I'm hurt, too.' “To me, it looked like Jalen is kind of getting himself out of the fray so that this lost season..he's pulling himself out so that this doesn't look like it's on me." https://t.co/nqw8J8emov
— Jon Marks (@JonMarksMedia) October 17, 2026On Monday, Hurts' blood clotting issues were revealed to be more severe than the initial prognosis, with the Eagles and his team announcing a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, set to miss the rest of the 2026 season.
That news caused NFL fans to again call out Robinson for questioning Hurts' willingness to play.
Michael Robinson should probably stay away from a microphone for a while https://t.co/mrBmsarihC
— LG (@GridIronically) October 19, 2026Micheal Robinson you have a lot of explaining to do This is abhorrent and shouldn’t be tolerated
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) October 19, 2026Oh look! A national media member that is blatantly making up nonsense about an Eagles player. I guess Michael Robinson will be issuing an apology (or two) just like Stephen A. Smith did.
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaNFL) October 17, 2026Michael Robinson went on national television, in front of millions of viewers, and had the audacity to accuse Jalen Hurts of faking a life threatening condition to avoid playing. Absolutely disgraceful. He should’ve been fired yesterday. @NFL @nflnetwork
— Gabe (@CryptoMorey) October 19, 2026MORE: Why Andy Dalton spurned Eagles over potential re-signing
