Former NFL team doctor addresses Jalen Hurts' blood clot as QB's season hinges on one key word

David Chao served as the Chargers team doctor for 17 years while they were still in San Diego, so when he studied the statement the Philadelphia Eagles released about Jalen Hurts and his blood clot, the doctor focused on one key word that will determine whether the quarterback misses a little time or a long time.

The word that glowed in neon for Dr.

Chao was "movement." The Eagles' statement announcing Hurts is out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers said that a follow-up ultrasound on Wednesday revealed "movement in the small blood clot" the team had discovered four days earlier.

CAROLINA PANTHERS LINEMAN TAYLOR MOTON OVERCAME BLOODY, LIFE-THREATENING EPISODE AND NOW HE'S BACK AT PRACTICE That blood clot discovered on Saturday was described by the team as "superficial." "What do they mean by movement?" Dr.

Chao told OutKick.

"Do they mean movement as in it's propagating and it's now a bigger superficial blood clot? Or is it movement meaning it's deeper and it's a deep vein clot? "If he has a deep vein clot, he's out for multiple weeks, at least." Dr.

Chao explained superficial clots can indeed move.

They can move and remain superficial.

"But if movement means it has become deep vein, then he's out long term, and they haven't revealed the whole breadth or depth of the news yet," he added.

By "deep vein," Dr.

Chao means a deep vein thrombosis .

If Hurts has a deep vein thrombosis in his leg, missing one game on Sunday would be only the start of a long and possibly season-ending absence.

"If it's a deep vein thrombosis it starts to be measured in months not weeks," Dr.

Chao said.