Tim McManus, ESPN Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — Eagles coach Nick Sirianni indicated Kenny Pickett will start Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys as Jalen Hurts continues to recover from a concussion.
“(Hearts) is still in the protocols. It would be difficult for him to be in this week,” Sirianni said Friday.
Hurts was ejected midway through the first quarter of last week’s game against the Washington Commanders after he was hit by linebacker Frankie Lube on his way to the ground after a 13-yard run, causing his head to hit the turf.
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Hurts was replaced by Pickett, who completed 14 of 24 for 143 yards, including a touchdown and one interception, in a 36-33 loss.
Pickett injured his ribs in the fourth quarter when linebacker Bobby Wagner tackled him in the backfield. He remained in the game, but underwent an X-ray immediately afterwards and a follow-up test on Monday.
Pickett declined to reveal the test results, but said the injury was “something we have to deal with.” He will wear extra padding around his ribs in addition to the flak jacket he normally wears on game days.
Tanner McKee will assume the role of No. 2 quarterback next to Pickett. McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford, has impressed in training camp practices and preseason games over the past two seasons. He worked on taking snaps from center Cam Jurgens this week, so it wouldn’t be new for him if he gets called up for Sunday’s game.
According to NextGen stats, the Eagles’ chances of securing the NFC’s top seed dropped to 4% with the loss to the Commanders, but a win against Dallas, a loss to the Commanders, or a tie with the Atlanta Falcons would clinch the division title. There is still a possibility.
