Jalen Hurts will miss an indefinite period after being diagnosed with a small blood clot, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to start Tanner McKee at quarterback against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed Hurts’ status as “out indefinitely” while he undergoes treatment.
McKee’s elevation to starter comes after a turbulent offseason that left the Eagles uncertain about their quarterback depth. McKee struggled in the 2025 regular season finale, logging a 68.9 passer rating in a game where the Eagles rested starters and relied on backups. Despite flashes of promise in limited preseason and regular season action, he failed to impress against the Washington Commanders, who fielded mostly starters despite injuries.
The Eagles’ concerns about McKee’s readiness led them to acquire veteran Andy Dalton during the offseason. Initially, the team downplayed Dalton’s role, calling him a third-string quarterback, but he took the majority of second-team snaps during OTAs and training camp alongside McKee. Neither quarterback distinguished themselves enough to claim the clear backup spot, leaving the Eagles to rotate reps even as the regular season began.
Dalton was forced into action during Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. His lone pass attempt in a goal-to-go situation was intercepted by a rookie safety after receiver Makai Lemon ran the wrong route, a mistake reported by Jeff McLane on his podcast unCovering the Birds. Dalton, who will turn 39 in October, struggled to make the right decision and failed to inspire confidence.
After that performance, the Eagles reverted to McKee as their backup behind Hurts. While McKee has only two career starts, he is seen as more promising than Dalton, who has struggled since joining Philadelphia and had an underwhelming 2025 season with the Panthers.
McKee will likely face a tough challenge this week. The Eagles are dealing with injuries to key offensive players, including DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley, both of whom are expected to miss the game. The offensive line will feature Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Willie Lampkin or Landon Dickerson at left guard, Jake Majors at center, Tyler Steen at right guard, and Markel Bell at right tackle.
The Panthers’ defense could offer some relief, as their cornerback corps is depleted with starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve. Cole Payton, a rookie from the 2026 draft, has shown flashes in practice and preseason, and some observers argue he might be more suited to start or at least back up McKee. Payton’s aggressive style could lead to turnovers but also offers mobility that the Eagles might need given the injuries.
Despite this, the Eagles appear set to stick with McKee rather than promote Payton. McKee is entering free agency after the season, and there is speculation the team might use his starts to showcase his abilities for a potential trade before the 2026 NFL trade deadline. Dalton’s future with the team remains uncertain, with some reports suggesting a possible return, though his recent performances have not justified such a move.
Sean Mannion will call the game from the booth, and it remains to be seen how his approach will differ with McKee under center instead of Hurts. The Eagles’ offense has struggled recently, and injuries to key skill players threaten to complicate matters further.
The team’s decision to start McKee reflects a difficult balance between developing younger talent and managing a season that has yet to gain momentum. Hurts’ blood clot diagnosis removes the team’s established leader from the field for now, leaving Philadelphia’s hopes resting on a quarterback who has yet to fully prove himself in regular season action.
According to Yahoo Sports.
