NFL

No Hurts, No Barkley: The Eagles Hand the Keys to Tanner McKee

No Hurts, No Barkley: The Eagles Hand the Keys to Tanner McKee

No Hurts, No Barkley: The Eagles Hand the Keys to Tanner McKee

Philadelphia's backup quarterback makes the first meaningful start of his career against first-place Carolina, with Jalen Hurts on injured reserve and Saquon Barkley out with a hamstring injury.

Philadelphia's backup quarterback makes the first meaningful start of his career against first-place Carolina, with Jalen Hurts on injured reserve and Saquon Barkley out with a hamstring injury.

The Philadelphia skyline at sunset under dramatic pink and orange clouds

Photo: Trev W. Adams / Pexels

The Eagles have lost three straight, and today they face Carolina without their two biggest stars. Jalen Hurts is on injured reserve with a blood clot in his calf, and Saquon Barkley is out with a hamstring injury, per ESPN.

That puts Tanner McKee under center. The 26-year-old has two career starts, both in Week 18 games after Philadelphia had already locked up a playoff spot, per the AP. “Somebody said pressure is a privilege, and I really think that’s true,” McKee said, per NFL.com.

The backfield is thin, too. With Barkley, Will Shipley and Tank Bigsby all ruled out, Dameon Pierce is in line for most of the carries, ESPN's Tim McManus reported. The good news is that receiver DeVonta Smith is expected back after missing two games, and the team also signed quarterback Joe Milton for depth.

What's next: The 2-3 Eagles host the 2-2 Panthers at 1 p.m. ET on CBS. Health first for Hurts, and a big chance for McKee.