NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson issued a formal apology to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, his family and the organization on Monday night after facing intense backlash for questioning the severity of Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis.
Robinson, a former Pro Bowl fullback, had theorized on television last Thursday that Hurts was using his health status as an excuse to avoid scrutiny during a difficult start to the season for Philadelphia.
“I want to sincerely apologize to Jalen Hurts, his family, the Philadelphia Eagles organization and fan base for my comments last Thursday,” Robinson wrote in a statement published on social media. “They were unfounded and I never should’ve speculated on a health issue of a player nor his commitment to his team.” In his post on X, Robinson added that his remarks were wrong and carried “no excuse,” the New York Post reported.
Controversial comments during broadcast
The controversy stemmed from an appearance on “NFL Gameday Kickoff” on Oct. 15, just after news broke regarding Hurts’ initial medical issues. During the program, Robinson wondered aloud if Philadelphia was seeking an excuse to find another quarterback in the draft.
Robinson then went further, suggesting Hurts or his representatives wanted to pull back from the team’s adversity. “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,” Robinson said on the air, according to Bleacher Report.
Outrage mounted across social media over the weekend, escalating significantly on Monday when the full gravity of the quarterback’s medical emergency became public.
The medical diagnosis and season outlook
Doctors initially discovered a superficial vein thrombosis in Hurts’ left calf before further tests confirmed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, meaning clots had traveled to both lungs, according to team statements. The Eagles placed Hurts on injured reserve on Saturday.
While outlets such as Bleacher Report and ClutchPoints reported that Hurts has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, USA TODAY Sports noted that while he has not been formally declared out for the entire year, standard blood-thinner treatments typically take months and prevent players from engaging in contact sports due to hemorrhage risks.
The Eagles released a statement emphasizing that Hurts is clinically stable without major functional limits, with a treatment plan consisting solely of anticoagulants. The franchise stated that Hurts’ prognosis is very favorable and doctors anticipate a full recovery without long-term consequences, though he cannot take part in contact activities while on the medication.
The medical crisis comes during a turbulent stretch for Philadelphia. The Eagles fell to 2-4 following a 25-14 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, a contest in which backup Tanner McKee made the start under center. Across his first five appearances this year, Hurts threw for 933 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 107 yards and a score.
Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, shared additional context Monday regarding the severity of the diagnosis, which proved far more dangerous than initially understood. Philadelphia now moves forward with McKee as the likely starter as Hurts focuses on his medical recovery.
