What happened: The ongoing review of the Jalen Hurts medical situation may result in a formal league protocol for blood-clotting cases. After Hurts was ruled out for Week 6 on Oct. 17 and listed with a calf issue, follow-up weekend imaging revealed multiple clots in his lungs, placing him on injured reserve for several months.

Why it matters: A standardized policy would establish mandatory diagnostic screening, reporting timelines, and return-to-play clearance rules for vascular conditions across all 32 clubs. The review examines how lower-leg symptoms are evaluated before a player is cleared for football activities.

What to watch: League medical officials and the players' union would need to finalize any binding additions to the collective health protocols once the investigation concludes.