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ESPN reveals Eagles QB plan with Jalen Hurts ruled out against Cowboys

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•12/28/24•

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Kenny Pickett is in line to start for the Philadelphia Eagles in place of Jalen Hurts due to the latter’s concussion this weekend.

Pickett subbed in for Hurts against the Washington Commanders last week in a 36-33 loss. However, the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET and need a win to lock up the NFC East and at minimum, the No. 2 seed.

So with Pickett in line to start, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler outlined the Eagles’ QB plan moving forward.

“The plan is for Kenny Pickett to start the game,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “They also have Tanner McKee, who steps into that QB2 role. They really like him, and I was told Pickett had a really strong week. Was working overtime with AJ Brown and company, trying to get the rhythm and timing in the passing game. And this is a quarterback who, eight months ago or so, thought he was going to start with the Pittsburgh Steelers, former first round pick. So he is eager to show that he is still that guy, and so they’re going to roll forward with him.”

Jalen Hurts ruled out, Kenny Pickett to start for Eagles

McKee is in his second year out of Stanford. The Eagles also signed Ian Book to the roster. Book spent time with the Eagles in 2022, mostly on and off the practice squad.

As far as Hurts is concerned, he might be out until the playoffs, depending upon what the Eagles need to do in terms of seeding.

“Jalen Hurts, they hope he can come back Week 18,” Fowler said. “He’s still in the early stages of that concussion protocol, yet to step onto the practice field for any sort of meaningful snaps. And look, if they lock up the NFC East, yeah, how much do they need (Hurts in Week 18)?”

If the Eagles win without Hurts in Week 17, they’ll be 13-3, NFC East champions and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. To get the No. 1 seed, Philadelphia would have to win Week 18 against the New York Giants, have the Detroit Lions lose to the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings in their final two games and have the Vikings lose to the Green Bay Packers Sunday.

So the chances are slim, so perhaps Hurts will be resting until the first round where the Eagles would host the No. 7 seed as division champions or hit the road as the No. 5 or 6 seed.