PHILADELPHIA − So there the Eagles were, with rookie quarterback Tanner McKee leading two touchdown drives in the second half, with a chance for a game-winning drive in the final minutes of the game.
Sure, the drive fell short and the Eagles and Browns played to an 18-18 tie Thursday night in a preseason game. But McKee’s play brought a morose Lincoln Financial Field crowd to life after watching the struggles of backup quarterback Marcus Mariota in the first half.
And it led to questions as to whether the rookie sixth-round draft pick has a chance to unseat Mariota as the backup quarterback.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni quickly squashed that, however.
“Way too early on this,” Sirianni said. “Marcus is our backup, and I’m pleased with the way Tanner is playing.”
McKee was firing passes all over the field. The sixth-round draft pick completed 10 of 18 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown. Those numbers would’ve looked even better if five of those incompletions weren’t dropped by receivers.
This after Mariota, the veteran free agent, struggled in the first half, completing just 9 of 17 passes for 86 yards and an interception.
It was the second consecutive game that McKee played better than Mariota. It was easy to notice McKee’s poise in the pocket, his ability to get the ball out quickly, and the touch on his passes.
“I would see the ball consistently going to the right spot, and on time,” Sirianni said. “That’s what you want for your quarterback, and with accuracy.”
Mariota, when asked to describe his play, replied: “Sloppy. I can do a better job of getting our guys to operate cleaner and more efficiently. But that’s what the preseason is for, being able to get some of that stuff ironed out, clean up some of the rust, and find ways to get better.”
McKee, of course, has no expectations of taking anyone’s job, saying he only worries about things he can control.
But there are so many things McKee likes about the Eagles offense, even though he’s not nearly the running threat that Hurts and Mariota are.
“I think it’s a different style of play, obviously,” McKee said. “I think (the coaches) do a great job of adapting the play calls to what I do best. And when Jalen gets in there, or Marcus or Ian (Book) are in there, I think it’s play to your skillset.
“Maybe I have a different mindset of trying to squeeze it in there instead of scrambling and make a few guys miss.”
There’s that, too. McKee was sacked three times, the same as Mariota. But he’s never been known as a scrambler. In fact, he said that offensive lineman Fred Johnson, who weighs 327 pounds, insists that he’s faster than McKee.
“I don’t know,” McKee said. “We’ll see.”
It’s clear why Hurts and Watson sat out
The reason both quarterbacks Hurts and Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, not to mention the rest of the perceived starters, sat out Thursday became painfully obvious with the injuries.
In addition, the starters on both 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.
Three Eagles players suffered injuries that required a cart. Cornerback Zech McPhearson suffered an ankle injury, and wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland and defensive tackle Moro Ojomo each suffered neck injuries.
Sirianni said Ojomo and Cleveland were moving all of their extremities as they were carted off the field. Sirianni didn’t have an update on McPhearson after the game, but he couldn’t put any weight on his right leg.
There was also a shoulder injury for first-round pick Nolan Smith, albeit not nearly as serious.
“You never want to see that,” Sirianni said. “Your heart goes out to everyone that gets hurt in a game because they are working so hard to make the team.”
No doubt, the starters will sit out the preseason finale next Thursday against Indianapolis, too.
Tanner McKee keeps moving Eagles in 2nd half
McKee took over for Mariota to start the third quarter. He led a touchdown drive on his first possession. In the fourth quarter, his 35-yard pass to Tyree Jackson got the Eagles to the Browns’ 10. But the Eagles couldn’t score as Deon Cain couldn’t hold McKee’s pass in the back of the end zone on 4th-and-goal from the 3.
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On the first drive, McKee completed both of his passes, 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.
Sermon led the Eagles with 54 yards on 5 carries.
Mariota struggles badly in 1st quarter
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 in the first half 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.
Eagles 1st possession results in a safety
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.
Haason Reddick has thumb surgery; will he return for opener?
Edge rusher Haason Reddick had thumb surgery this week, but the Eagles expect him back for the opener on Sept. 10 against New England.
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.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.
