The story of Jalen Hurts’ health issue and his absence from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 6 game against the Carolina Panthers was made a little more controversial by former NFL fullback and current NFL Network analyst Michael Robinson.

Speaking on “NFL GameDay Kickoff,” Robinson speculated that Hurts may have sat out because the team would blame him for its poor performance and eventually cut him. With other players also sidelined by injuries, Robinson suggested Hurts felt sitting out was the best option.

Robinson even downplayed Hurts’ health condition in his rant, drawing significant backlash from fans and analysts alike. Now, three-time Super Bowl champion Willie McGinest is the latest sports figure to weigh in on Robinson’s controversial remarks.

Willie McGinest Explains Where Michael Robinson Went Wrong With Jalen Hurts Take

Robinson’s comments were further called into question a day after the Panthers game, when the Eagles announced that Hurts had been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli.

The diagnosis meant blood clots had been found in both of his lungs, with subsequent reports indicating that he was expected to miss the remainder of the season.

Addressing the controversy during Wednesday’s episode of the “All The Smoke Unplugged” podcast, where McGinest joined former basketball player Matt Barnes, McGinest suggested Robinson may have jumped to conclusions with his comments.

“We may sometimes get ahead of ourselves when we make comments about another man’s situation… based on what you may be hearing,” the former linebacker said.

McGinest defended Robinson’s intentions but said he spoke too soon about Hurts’ situation. He pointed out that Robinson made his comments before the Eagles revealed Hurts’ full diagnosis, despite admitting that he lacked the medical information to assess the situation.

“I know Mike Rob, and Mike Rob means no harm,” McGinest said. “But the thing is, when you’re talking about a situation that you don’t have enough information on, he made that statement on Oct. 16; the real diagnosis came out on Oct. 19, which means you didn’t have enough information.

“And he kept saying he knows nothing. He said that like three times. And he also said, ‘I’m not medical or medical staff.’ So, right then and there, it becomes the hot take that this is what’s happening with the team.”

McGinest then went on to defend Hurts, saying, “Howie Roseman and his team will never tank. Jalen Hurts will never quit if you know this young man. He’ll never take himself out. He’s gonna go and finish whatever he started.”

“I think it was just a bad assessment for Mike, but Mike means no harm,” the former linebacker concluded.

Robinson later apologized to Hurts and his family, the Eagles, and the fanbase, admitting his comments were unfounded. He also acknowledged that he shouldn’t have speculated about Hurts’ medical condition or questioned his commitment to the team without having enough information.

“I want to sincerely apologize to Jalen Hurts, his family, the Philadelphia Eagles organization and fanbase for my comments last Thursday. They were unfounded, and I never should’ve speculated on a health issue of a player, nor his commitment to his team,” Robinson wrote on social media.

The debate surrounding Robinson also prompted Barnes to bring up Stephen A. Smith’s recent controversy involving Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson.

Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL four games into the season, citing mental health and a desire to spend more time with his family. Smith initially suggested that Philadelphia’s struggles and the team’s chaotic situation played a role in Johnson’s decision.

The analyst later issued an apology, acknowledging that his comments were wrong and that he owed Johnson and the Eagles an apology for making light of a serious mental health matter.

McGinest stressed that mental health should never be reduced to another talking point in sports debates. He argued that sports personalities have a responsibility to do their research and get the facts right before weighing in on such sensitive issues.

“This is a sensitive topic, and this is mental health,” McGinest added. “This is life. This is like a man making a decision that’s best for him personally, a life decision. This is not a football decision.”

Hurts and Johnson’s situations are different, but both show why sports personalities need to think twice before speaking on matters they don’t have all the facts about.