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McKee

Joe Milton will start for the Eagles against the Giants this week. McKee’s time under center lasted three games. Unfortunately, he never once threw for more than 215 yards or threw multiple touchdowns. McKee can be dropped in two-quarterback leagues. Milton is a volatile QB2.

Speaking to media Monday following the team’s sixth consecutive loss, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence in his 26 year old quarterback, saying, “Tanner is out guy.” He was asked directly if he was considering a change at quarterback following McKee’s third straight loss, quickly putting those rumors to rest. McKee appears to be the team’s starting quarterback, at least in the immediate future, as they limp past the half way point of the regular season with a Week 9 meeting against the division rival Giants.

The Eagles scored the first 10 points of the game as they looked to be in control early. Things quickly went south following numerous mental mistakes, penalties, and poor execution, eventually leading to the Commanders scoring 27 straight to send Philadelphia to their sixth consecutive loss. The Eagles continue to have no downfield ability while playing through mounting injuries, with their longest play of the game coming on the final play from scrimmage on a meaningless down. That leaves very little room for error with things like penalties, drops, and sacks, all of which were present in Week 8. McKee and the Eagles limp into another divisional matchup in Week 9 against the Giants, where McKee will carry negligible fantasy value.

McKee looked to be comfortable in the pocket to start but things quickly unravelled, with the veteran backup unable to improve upon a 21-yard completion to rookie Makai Lemon in the first quarter as he remained incapable of attacking downfield. Lemon would also be the recipient of McKee’s lone touchdown toss, marking the second consecutive start with just one touchdown pass in relief of Jalen Hurts. The offense looked far more functional while Saquon Barkley was on the field, but the veteran back was in and out of the lineup from the second quarter through the fourth, before ultimately being deemed questionable to return and missing the final frame. The Eagles drop their fifth straight for the first time since 2016 as they fall further behind the Giants for the division lead. McKee is not worth rostering ahead of a Week 8 divisional tilt against the Commanders.

The very first play of the game was a play-action pass where McKee was sacked for an 11-yard loss. That began what was a rough first half for McKee, but he made some nice throws in the second half, including a beautiful over-the-shoulder throw to DeVonta Smith for a touchdown. When McKee wasn’t under pressure, he was happy to stand in the pocket and take shots down the field, which helped Smith and Dallas Goedert put together usable fantasy days, but McKee obviously does not avoid pressure in the pocket the way that Jalen Hurts does. He could put together a solid day next week against a vulnerable Cowboys defense.

Fowler reportedly spoke to “some people who are hopeful” that Hurts can avoid injured reserve. He described the situation as being “very much touch and go” and said Tanner McKee will “probably” start multiple games. The Eagles go on bye in Week 10, so if Hurts does land on injured reserve, the Eagles’ Week 11 game against the Steelers would be his earliest possible return.

Hurts’ blood clot was initially a superficial issue in his calf. Unfortunately, the clot has moved and the situation now appears to be quite serious and, per Rapoport, “scary.” Rapoport said Hurts will now undergo treatment, “which, a lot of times, is blood thinners.” If that treatment option is deemed necessary, Hurts would not be allowed to play. Rapoport believes Hurts will be sidelined in Week 6 “and likely beyond.” Tanner McKee is his replacement.

McKee, 26, is a towering pocket passer (6'6/231) with 97 career dropbacks. He has two career starts and has made appearances in two other contests, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt and a 73.8 percent adjusted completion rate. McKee was the subject of trade rumors last offseason, but luckily, the Eagles kept him. He faces a Panthers secondary missing its two starting perimeter cornerbacks, though he has almost exactly 72 hours to get himself ready and the Eagles’ pass-catching corps is banged up. He is a viable QB2 in superflex formats, but he offers a wide range of potential outcomes. McKee is backed up by rookie Cole Payton. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo thinks the team could reunite with Andy Dalton, whom they released last week.

Dalton is “an option” for the Eagles, who are down to two available quarterbacks this week, Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton, with Jalen Hurts having been ruled out preemptively due to a superficial blood clot in his calf. The Eagles released Dalton last week. A few teams have reportedly checked in with Dalton since his release, “though there’s familiarity and a clear role in Philly for him if he decides to return.”

The Eagles released an official statement announcing the news. Per their statement, Hurts took a cleat to the calf in Week 4. He went in for treatment the following Thursday and an ultrasound revealed the blood clot. Doctors ultimately cleared him to play in Week 5. He continued to receive treatment over the next two days. After practice on Wednesday (yesterday), a follow-up ultrasound revealed movement in the small blood clot. The team has now ruled him out for Week 6 as they determine the next course of action. They didn’t comment on how long Hurts will be out, but it’s possible this is a long-term issue for the veteran quarterback. Tanner McKee will draw the start versus Carolina.