PHILADELPHIA − The reason both quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Deshaun Watson, not to mention the rest of the perceived starters, are sitting out the preseason game between the Eagles and Cleveland Browns on Thursday is an easy one.
The two teams got all the work they needed during the joint practice sessions during the week. That was where both teams could be physical − as evidenced by the shoving matches Tuesday − in a controlled setting, without some third-string defensive lineman taking out a quarterback during the game.
And it was clear why after the Eagles lost two key young players to injury in a sloppy first half in which they trailed 8-3. Quarterback Marcus Mariota struggled as he played the entire first half. Mariota completed just 9 of 17 passes for 85 yards and an interception. He was sacked three times.
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Tanner McKee leads TD drive in place of Mariota
Eagles rookie quarterback Tanner McKee started the second half, and immediately led the Eagles on a touchdown drive.
McKee completed both of his passes on the drive, for 27 yards. His first pass went to Joseph Ngata for 12 yards to the Eagles’ 42. After Trey Sermon’s 10-yard run, McKee then completed a bubble screen to Devon Allen, who turned that into a 15-yard gain down to Cleveland’s 33 yard line.
On the next play, Sermon ran up the middle, bounced off a tackler and went all the way into the end zone. That gave the Eagles a 10-8 lead with 11:59 left in the third quarter.
Eagles’ Nolan Smith, Zech McPhearson injured
The Eagles suffered two key injuries early in the second quarter. Rookie edge rusher Nolan Smith went to the locker room with a shoulder injury while Zech McPhearson, who deflected a pass that was nearly intercepted, left in a cart with an ankle injury.
McPhearson’s injury is far more serious. The special teams ace was ruled out for the game. He was not able to put any weight on his right leg.
Smith, the Eagles’ first-round pick (No. 30 overall), was listed as questionable to return, but that was highly unlikely. Smith was playing well, too. On one play, Smith bent his way around Browns’ 374-pound tackle Dawand Jones and reached for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, nearly sacking him. Thompson-Robinson escaped from Smith, but Kentavius Street was there for the sack.
Street, coincidentally, also dropped the ball that McPhearson deflected. McPhearson had been working most of training camp at nickel corner, perhaps as a backup to Avonte Maddox.
Eagles WR also leaves on a cart
Also, wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland suffered a neck injury as he tried to haul in a pass from McKee in the third quarter. Cleveland was immobilized and placed on a stretcher, then taken off on a court. His Eagles teammates and several Browns players came over to wish him well.
Cleveland was ruled out for the game, but the Eagles reported that he had movement in all of his extremities.
Mariota struggles badly in 1st quarter, Eagles lead 3-2
Marcus Mariota wasn’t effective in the first quarter as he got the start for the second week in a row. He often threw high to receivers.
Mariota was 3-for-9 for 32 yards in the first quarter. He also threw an interception when he overthrew Grant Calcaterra with the Eagles at midfield after Rashaad Penny picked up a first down on a 16-yard run.
The Eagles’ only points came on Jake Elliott’s 56-yard field goal after Mariota threw a bit high to Olamide Zaccheaus, who couldn’t hold the pass. Zaccheaus left with a shoulder injury after the play.
Tanner McKee, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick, is expected to play at some point. McKee was 10-for-20 for 148 yards last week against Baltimore.
Eagles 1st possession results in a safety; Browns lead 2-0
The Eagles appeared to dodge a bullet when Browns running back John Kelly fumbled on 1st-and-goal from the Eagles’ 1. Nakobe Dean forced the fumble and K’Von Wallace recovered it, giving the Eagles the ball at the 2.
But after an incomplete pass, Kenny Gainwell, getting his first action of the summer, was tackled in the end zone for a safety. That gave Cleveland an early 2-0 lead.
Mariota starts at QB, Nakobe Dean also playing
Mariota got the start in place of Hurts. Linebacker Nakobe Dean was the only perceived starter to play after sitting out last week’s game with an injury.
Other notable players in uniform included defensive linemen and rookies Jalen Carter, who made the tackle on the first play of the game. Also, Nolan Smith played, as did all of the running backs except for D’Andre Swift. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni had said all of the running backs will play during the preseason. Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott, who sat out last week, played Thursday. Swift played last week, and is sitting out tonight.
Rashaad Penny, coming back from an injury, is the only one of the main four running backs to play in both games.
Haason Reddick has thumb surgery, report; will he return for opener?
Edge rusher Haason Reddick wasn’t going to play in the preseason games anyway. And now he won’t after he reportedly had thumb surgery this week.
Reddick, who had 16 sacks last season, suffered the injury at some point during practice Monday with the Browns. He didn’t practice Tuesday, and likely won’t for at least a few weeks.
An NFL source, however, said the Eagles are confident that Reddick will be ready to go for the regular-season opener on Sept. 10 against the New England Patriots.
For now, rookie Nolan Smith will get the bulk of Reddick’s first-team reps.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
