NFL Analyst Criticized for Jalen Hurts Blood Clot Comments
Michael Robinson faces backlash for suggesting Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts may be exaggerating a blood clot injury.
NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson has drawn criticism for comments made about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' recent blood clot diagnosis. Eagles’ medical staff discovered a superficial blood clot in Hurts' leg, leading the team to place him on injured reserve and rule him out for at least four games.
Robinson, a former Super Bowl champion, suggested on NFL GameDay Kickoff that Hurts might be using the injury as an excuse to distance himself from a difficult season for the team. "To me, it looked like Jalen is kind of getting himself out of the fray so that this lost season... doesn’t look like it’s on [him]," Robinson said.
He further elaborated, "If I'm just playing devil's advocate... if I'm Jalen Hurts, or anybody in Jalen Hurts' camp, I’m saying: "Well if everybody's hurt, I'm hurt, too." Guys, I've been cleated before. And I'm not saying a superficial blood clot isn't serious. I’m not saying that. But I would advise all of our viewers to Google 'superficial blood clot' rather than a real blood clot."
These remarks were met with strong disapproval, including from former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who called Robinson's comments "ridiculous" and "outrageous" on social media. Griffin III stated, "The negative narratives around Jalen Hurts have to stop. ... Jalen Hurts can’t even have a serious medical condition in peace."
The Philadelphia Eagles released a detailed statement on October 8th, outlining the timeline of Hurts' injury. According to the team, Hurts reported calf pain after being cleated during the October 4th game against the Rams. He practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday of that week. An ultrasound on Saturday revealed a superficial blood clot, and the medical staff determined he could play safely, recommending a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours.
After playing Sunday's game without limitation, a follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday night indicated movement in the blood clot, prompting the team to sideline him. The Eagles stated, "His health and safety are our highest priority."
Despite these explanations, Robinson's comments have ignited debate regarding player health and media speculation. The Eagles currently hold a 2-3 record this season and have faced a string of injuries to key players, including Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, and Lane Johnson, adding to the team's challenges.