
Quarterback Tanner McKee has been the Eagles' emergency quarterback this season, however his function might change to the first backup and even starter relying the statuses of Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett.(AP Photograph/Terrance Williams)
PHILADELPHIA – Two days after the Eagles noticed beginning quarterback Jalen Hurts go away the sport with a concussion, a backup quarterback took snaps in a significant recreation for the primary time this season. Kenny Pickett changed Hurts and led the offense for the remainder of Sunday’s loss to the Washington Commanders however sustained a rib damage, forcing emergency quarterback Tanner McKee to start warming up. Pickett completed the sport, however questions stay about whether or not Hurts will clear concussion protocol or if Pickett—and even McKee—will begin Sunday in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys.
Hurts should be cleared by an unbiased neurologist earlier than he can take part in any observe or recreation and Pickett was seen strolling briefly within the locker room earlier than Tuesday’s walkthrough, which was closed to the media. Pickett didn’t look like laboring to breathe, a typical symptom of rib accidents, which might point out he might be obtainable Sunday.
If Hurts or Pickett’s availability forces them to be sidelined, the Eagles might flip to McKee be prepared no less than as the first backup. McKee, a sixth-round draft choose in 2023, has but to play in a regular-season recreation, however mentioned he is able to fill no matter function is assigned to him—whether or not because the starter, backup, or emergency quarterback—due to the best way he prepares every week.
“I really feel like I’ve all the time been getting ready to be the starter and getting ready to play, so my preparation goes to remain the identical,” McKee informed reporters Tuesday. “I’m clearly excited for any alternative that I do get, however we’re going to take it daily for these guys.”
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McKee mentioned he stays sharp by working because the scout group quarterback and training with receivers after group drills to refine his timing and familiarity with the passing recreation.
“I seize a few guys after observe and say issues like, ‘Hey, I didn’t get this route in observe.’ Jalen clearly will get nearly all of the reps, so I wish to throw a few routes with a man in case I do get referred to as on to run an idea. I believe it’s nearly getting the timing with the fellows and feeling assured each time a play known as.”
The sport plan might look totally different if Hurts doesn’t play, however that didn’t draw any concern from left deal with Jordan Malaita, who mentioned he believes all three quarterbacks on the Eagles roster are able to operating the offense effectively.
“Jalen’s clearly the extra dynamic QB out of the three of them,” Mailata mentioned. “By way of how that’s going to vary us and the way it’s not going to vary something—it could, from a cadence standpoint. All of them have a special rhythm, so for us, it’s all about what we will management. I believe it does change among the performs we’ll name from a learn standpoint, however that’s extra of an OC (offensive coordinator Kellen Moore) query.”
Proper deal with Lane Johnson echoed Mailata’s confidence in Hurts and the backups, praising Pickett for his efficiency underneath difficult circumstances. Johnson added that the offense as a complete should give attention to ending drives and correcting particulars the Commanders exploited Sunday.
“We bought some reps with Kenny, and I assumed he did effectively underneath the circumstances,” Johnson mentioned. “In terms of the opposite stuff, we’ve got to scrub some issues up communication-wise, however I assumed we competed effectively and put up some factors. On the finish, we had some possibilities to seal the sport. We’ve to make these performs.”
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Chris Franklin could also be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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