Walker Talks Blood Clots, Says Decision For Hurts To Fly Is ‘Crazy’

The stunning news that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has issues with multiple blood clots that have ended his season was the biggest story in the NFL this week, and it turns out that Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III has some very relevant things to say about this, according to a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. 

Walker had blood clots back when he was in high school, and they nearly ended the running back’s career before it even got started. The more generic part of his message to Hurts was to just “stay positive,” as treatment takes time but often works, especially for young, fit athletes who are in their twenties. 

But Walker also added “yeah, that’s crazy” when he commented about Hurts flying to Europe  despite having multiple blood clots, including a reported pair in his longs. The running back said the issues isn’t one that should be taken lightly, and while many others have said that, Walker’s take is certainly more relevant given that he’s had to deal with this problem personally. 

The NFL has mostly shrugged off the questions about the level and quality of medical care that allowed Hurts to do this, and Eagles coach Nick Sirianni offered no comments about it during his media availability this week, saying he wanted only to talk about Philadelphia’s upcoming game against the Dallas Cowboys. 

Offensive coordinator Sean Mannion was asked about Hurts’ possible role in helping backup quarterback Tanner McKee, but Mannion said only that Hurts was “arond last week,” and he’s “tackling the health stuff” that the quarterback is dealing with. 

Mannion could have shed some light on any number of subjects, including when he found out that Hurts had been taken to the hospital to be treated, what he knew about Hurts availability to play in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and several others “what did he know, and when did he know it?” questions that Florio posed.

These questions would have given useful information about the treatment protocols of both the Eagles and the NFL regarding this serious health issue, which could have put those protocols under the microscope without violating Hurts’ right to medical privacy. 

As for Walker, his health has also been in the spotlight this week when it was revealed that his old team, the Seattle Seahawks, passed on re-signing Walker because of availability issues due to injury issues the running back had early in his time in Seattle.