Mad Dog Russo blasts NFL over Jalen Hurts situation, putting ESPN in a tricky spot cc

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball during an NFL football game against Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. | Ian Walton Chris “Mad Dog” Russo isn’t buying the NFL’s explanation for how the Philadelphia Eagles handled Jalen Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis.The popular ESPN personality criticized the league and Philadelphia on Wednesday’s edition of “First Take,” questioning the NFL’s commitment to player safety following the Eagles quarterback’s diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs.“One thing if I may about this whole thing with Hurts, the Eagles did a horrendous job,” Russo said. “And I’m going to believe the NFL now that doesn’t have grass fields, that didn’t do anything with CTE until they were forced to, that wants to play an 18th game for the safety of the players when they want to play another game. ... I don’t trust them.”Russo regularly appears alongside ESPN figurehead Stephen A. Smith on Wednesdays, but his comments weren’t part of his usual “What Are You Mad About?” segment. Instead, they came during a discussion about an increasingly complicated situation involving one of the NFL’s biggest stars.Russo also took issue with Eagles coach Nick Sirianni being left to answer questions about Hurts’ medical situation, arguing that the team should have made a medical professional available.#Eagles HC Nick Sirianni got into a back-and-forth with a reporter over why Jalen Hurts was allowed to fly back from London after being diagnosed with a blood clot: https://t.co/OulKwe7Q8xpic.twitter.com/QqlEpCXhAc— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 19, 2026“Put a trainer out there! Put a team doctor!” Russo said. “You make the poor guy answer questions with a hungry media in Philadelphia? That was a disgrace!”It’s a tricky spot for ESPN, given its huge deal with the NFL. Even though Russo’s just sharing his opinion, calling out the league like this really highlights the awkward line between sports media and the NFL’s massive business interests. ESPN network coverage will feature the Super Bowl this coming February, backed by a year-round promotional campaign alongside a full week of game-related broadcasts and special programming — events where Russo is sure to participate.The controversy stems from Hurts’ trip to London for Philadelphia’s Oct. 11 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Eagles said an ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot in his calf on Oct. 10, but medical personnel determined he could safely play. He subsequently returned home with the team.Hurts was then ruled out against the Carolina Panthers the following week after another ultrasound showed movement in the clot. On Monday, the Eagles announced that further testing revealed deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli, which are blood clots in both lungs. He is now expected to miss the remainder of the season.The reporting surrounding his time in London has also drawn scrutiny. The Ringer’s new NFL insider Tom Pelissero initially reported that Hurts had been awake for roughly 36 hours when he started against Jacksonville, allegedly after doctors advised him not to sleep as a precaution.Pelissero later clarified the report after Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, said the quarterback had been able to sleep after returning from the hospital early Sunday morning. The NFL also disputed the claim that doctors instructed Hurts to remain awake.For Russo, the broader issue remains whether the league’s actions match its public commitment to protecting players.“And the NFL can’t sit there and tell me that they care about safety,” he said. “They care about safety, why are we going for an 18th game?” Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts runs the tush push during a game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. | Chris Szagola, Associated Press