PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles are concluding their preseason schedule Thursday against the Indianapolis Colts.
While the game is of little importance as all of the Eagles’ starters are sitting out, it means everything to the few dozen players fighting for a coveted spot on the 53-man roster.
The Colts are in a different situation with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who started Thursday night.
Still, against the Colts starters, the Eagles trailed just 17-13 at halftime. Jake Elliott hit two long field goals, the first from 59 yards and the second from 52.
How Colts ended Eagles backup QB controversy
It was an easy storyline through the first two preseason games when Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick, outperformed Marcus Mariota while Eagles starting quarterback Jalen Hurts sat out.
It even led to questions to head coach Nick Sirianni about whether McKee has a chance to supplant Mariota as Hurts’ backup. Sirianni quickly shot that down last week, and it became clear why Thursday.
McKee was going against deep reserves in the previous two games, when he threw for 295 yards and had a passer rating of 87.3. Mariota, meanwhile, had a passer rating of 56.3.
But the Colts played their starters through the entire first half, and McKee had a tougher time, although he did show poise. McKee replaced Mariota after the first series, and played the rest of the first half.
Mariota was 1-for-2 for 21 yards in his cameo, leading the Eagles to an opening-drive touchdown. Mariota was helped by Devon Allen’s 73-yard kickoff return, giving the Eagles the ball at Indianapolis’ 27.
Still, McKee wasn’t nearly as successful. He was 8-for-17 for 77 yards leading up to the Eagles’ late possession with 3-plus minutes left in the first half
McKee was at his best on that drive He completed six straight passes. His sixth was a 15-yard pass to Joseph Ngata, but Ngata fumbled the ball away.
The Eagles got the ball back one more time, but went nowhere. McKee went 15-for-27 for 139 yards in the first half.
Still, he was better than Richardson, the No. 4 pick in the draft. Richardson went 6-for-17 for 78 yards. He ran for 38 more.
Devon Allen shows his blazing speed, helps Eagles to early lead
Allen, a wide receiver, needed a few weeks at the start of camp to recover from a hamstring injury suffered during the U.S. nationals in track in July, where Allen is a 110 meter hurdler.
He showed that speed on the opening kickoff. Allen bobbled the kick at the goal line, then picked it up, cut to his right and picked up 73 yards before he was tackled.
The Eagles started at the Colts’ 27, and eventually scored on Trey Sermon’s 1-yard run.
Eagles Jalen Carter, many other key players sitting out
As for other players, rookie defensive tackle Jalen Carter is not playing Thursday. His preseason will consisted of just 9 snaps in the previous two games. Nolan Smith, Jordan Davis and Milton Williams weren’t playing either. At linebacker, Nakobe Dean and Zach Cunningham didn’t play, but Christian Elliss and Nicholas Morrow did.
The starting cornerbacks were rookie Kelee Ringo and Mekhi Garner with Eli Ricks getting plenty of action. Veterans Terrell Edmunds and Justin Evans started at safety.
Eagles sign OL to 2-year deal
The Eagles announced that they have signed tackle Fred Johnson to a two-year contract Thursday, an indication that the fifth-year player will survive final cuts. Johnson played in five games last season for Tampa Bay. He spent the previous three seasons with Tampa Bay.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
