Tanner McKee fell to No. 3 on the depth chart ahead of Week 1 this season, but he worked his way back to the No. 2 job in time to be the next man up when the Eagles made a surprising announcement on Thursday.
Jalen Hurts will not play against the Panthers in Week 6 because of a blood clot in his calf and it is unclear when he will be cleared to return to action. That positions the 2023 sixth-round pick to make his first start outside of a pair of throwaway Week 18 games after the Eagles had already clinched their postseason spot.
On Thursday, McKee said the backup mindset is to be ready at a moment’s notice so it’s a positive that he will get practice time with the first team heading into his chance to make a strong impression on the Eagles and the entire league this Sunday.
“Every opportunity that you get to play is a huge opportunity, especially being a sixth-round pick,” McKee said. “Every opportunity is a huge opportunity. I’m obviously very excited and ready to make the most of it.”
The Eagles have a lot of injury issues beyond the one that’s knocked Hurts out of action, so it’s not an ideal situation for a backup to come in and shine but it’s the chance that McKee gets and we’ll see what he can do with it on Sunday.
The Eagles announced on Thursday that quarterback Jalen Hurts will not play against the Panthers due to a blood clot in his calf, which leaves Tanner McKee in line to make the first non-Week 18 start of his career.
McKee may have wide receiver DeVonta Smith available for the game. Smith has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury and he did not practice on Wednesday, but the team listed him as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice.
Wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is moving in the opposite direction with his hamstring injury. Wicks was out of practice Thursday after working on a limited basis on Wednesday.
Running back Saquon Barkley (hamstring) remained out of practice and is on track to miss his second straight game. Defensive back Michael Carter (abdomen), linebacker AJ Epenesa (back), linebacker Jalyx Hunt (knee, ankle), and running back Will Shipley (foot) were also out on Thursday.
Cornerback Jakorian Bennett (knee), wide receiver Hollywood Brown (ankle), tight end Grant Calcaterra (back), guard Landon Dickerson (knee), linebacker Jonathan Greenard (ankle), tight end EJ Jenkins (toe), center Drew Kendall (knee), guard Tyler Steen (shoulder), and tight end Eli Stowers (quad) were the team’s limited participants.
Linebacker Zack Baun (shoulder), linebacker Jihaad Campbell (knee, wrist), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (wrist), linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (shoulder), safety Marcus Epps (groin), offensive tackle Fred Johnson (knee), and safety Andrew Mukuba (shoulder) were all listed as full participants.
When the Eagles released Andy Dalton last week, they kept the possibility open for the veteran backup to return on the team’s practice squad.
Now with starter Jalen Hurts dealing with a blood clot, Philadelphia could use him back. But Dalton, who remains a free agent, could be headed elsewhere.
Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, Dalton has offers from multiple teams and he has been mulling them over for a few days. It’s still to be determined where he’ll end up.
The Eagles currently have Tanner McKee as the backup on the 53-man roster behind Hurts. Rookie Cole Payton is also on the roster. The team does not currently have a QB on its practice squad.
Dalton threw one pass when Hurts had to come out during Philadelphia’s loss to Chicago on Sept. 28. It was intercepted.
Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee is set to start on Sunday against the Panthers after Jalen Hurts was ruled out with a blood clot. It will be the first meaningful start of McKee’s NFL career.
McKee has started two games, in Week 18 the last two years, when the Eagles had already clinched their playoff seeds and decided to rest Hurts and their other top players. He’s never played a snap outside garbage time in a meaningful regular-season game.
The Eagles had a very experienced backup quarterback in Andy Dalton, but they cut him last week before Hurts was diagnosed with the blood clot. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Eagles ask Dalton to come back now that they need another quarterback.
The only other quarterback on the roster is Cole Payton, a fifth-round rookie who has a lot of talent but only started one season at North Dakota State and isn’t viewed as a player who’s ready to lead an NFL team right away.
We’ll find out on Sunday if McKee is ready.
On Wednesday, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts declined to say much about a calf injury that popped up on Friday’s injury report.
On Thursday, the Eagles said plenty.
Hurts is out for the Week 6 game against the Panthers with a blood clot in his leg.
Here’s the full statement from the team:
“On Thursday, October 8th, Jalen visited the training room after practice requesting treatment for his calf. He informed the medical staff he had been cleated during the Rams game on October 4th. This was his first treatment session for the calf injury following the game, after having practiced in full both Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, Jalen received treatment, practiced in full, and was added to the practice report.
“Out of an abundance of caution, an ultrasound was performed on Saturday following the team’s flight to London and walkthrough. The ultrasound revealed a superficial blood clot. Our medical staff and doctors in London reviewed the results and concluded that activity and mobility were important and that Jalen could safely play. Doctors recommended a follow-up ultrasound within 72 hours of the game and the return flight to Philadelphia.
“Jalen played without limitation in the game Sunday, received treatment on Monday and Tuesday, and practiced in full on Wednesday, as reflected in the practice report. Throughout our time in London and this week, we have remained in communication with the league office regarding the matter.
“On Wednesday night, a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. Jalen will be out for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers as we determine the appropriate course of treatment. His health and safety are our highest priority.”
Needless to say, it’s a situation that could take some time to resolve. For now, he’ll miss at least one game.
