The reason for Jerome Harrison’s(notes) failed physical, the one that voided the trade between the Lions and Eagles, was a brain tumor, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Shefter tweeted:

Without trade, Jerome Harrison doesn’t get physical. Without physical, doctors don’t find brain tumor. Trade might have saved his life.

The trade, which would have sent Harrison to the Philadelphia Eagles for the second time in two years, was voided when Harrison failed his physical. The physical may have also saved his life. There is no official news on the brain tumor. It is unknown if it is malignant or benign; it is also unknown if it is treatable or not.

The last few days have likely been a large emotional roller coaster for the running back from being traded from a top team in the NFC to an under-performing Eagles team. He then found out that he failed his physical and that he has a brain tumor.

This trade was a definite win-win for both teams. Sure the trade didn’t go through and neither team got out of the trade what they were hoping for. However, both teams have had Harrison on their rosters and both should be happy to know that this trade will have hopefully saved Jerome Harrison’s life.

Obviously there is nothing good about a brain tumor, but the NFL-required physical for traded players caught this, most likely, much sooner than it would have been found.

All the best from ZipRage sports to Jerome Harrison for a full and speedy recovery.