Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts got ruled out for Week 6 because of a superficial blood clot, and that news shook up a lot of NFL players, including rival Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott called Hurts’ condition “scary” and is urging athletes across the league to communicate openly with medical personnel. This isn’t just about football, it’s about life.
“It’s Scary”: Why Prescott Is So Alarmed
Prescott didn’t hold back, saying, “It’s scary when you get things like that. Blood clots, you’re talking about someone’s life, especially with the plane trip and all that they took.” He’s speaking from a place of real concern, and it’s a stark reminder that these guys are human, even when they’re battling it out on the field. Prescott talked about how he’s “fortunate” to have his personal physical therapist, Luke Miller, who sometimes catches things before he does. “I try to blow things off, and he’s like ‘no, no let’s look at this. Let me get a better check on it.’ I encourage people to be open about their body and learn about their body.” It’s a huge point from a guy who knows the grind of an NFL season.
Hurts’ Scary Timeline and The Stigma Players Face
The Eagles’ statement laid out a pretty intense sequence of events for Hurts. He went to the training room on Thursday, Oct. 8, after practice for calf treatment. Then, after the team flew to London for their Week 5 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they did an ultrasound on Saturday, which found a superficial blood clot. Their medical staff, working with London doctors, cleared him to play safely. But after a follow-up ultrasound, they found the blood clot had moved. That’s when the Eagles made the call to rule him out for Week 6 against the Carolina Panthers, stating “his health and safety are our highest priority.”
Prescott’s message for other athletes is super clear: have open conversations with your team’s training staff. He gets that there can be a “stigma” for NFL players when it comes to speaking up, but he stressed there’s “nothing wrong with putting things on their radar.” He’s in a “fortunate situation now being this far into my career,” which helps him build good relationships with the training staff. His advice? “Tell them everything. You can get a heads up on it. You can tell them and just say ‘it’s fine, but I’m letting you know.’ I encourage all athletes: don’t be shy if something is bothering you. Speak up on it. This is a tough man’s sport at the end of the day, so let them know if you’re fine like ‘hey, I’m just warning you. I’m just alerting you, so you can get ahead of things like this.’” It’s a powerful and essential reminder for every single player out there.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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