Tanner McKee lands Eagles backup role behind Joe Milton despite cracked rib

Tanner McKee went from the Philadelphia Eagles’ starting quarterback to Joe Milton’s backup in less than a week, and a cracked rib put even that role in doubt before Sunday’s NFC East game against the New York Giants.

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NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that McKee is expected to back up Milton. The 26-year-old is listed as questionable after cracking a rib on the first drive of last week’s 27-10 loss at the Washington Commanders.

McKee stayed in that game and finished 23 of 34 for 212 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. He was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice with a chest designation, then was limited Thursday and Friday with the rib. Rookie Cole Payton, a fifth-round pick out of North Dakota State, is the only other quarterback on the roster.

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Why did Eagles bench McKee?

#Eagles QB Tanner McKee (rib) is expected to serve as the backup QB to Joe Milton today, source said. He's listed as questionable with a cracked rib he suffered on the first drive last week.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 8, 2026

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said Monday that McKee would remain the starter. McKee said he got the call from Sirianni on Tuesday, and ESPN reported Wednesday that Milton would make the start.

The Stanford product went 0-3 after replacing Jalen Hurts, throwing for 638 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in losses to the Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys and Commanders. Philadelphia has dropped six straight and sits last in the NFC East at 2-6.

McKee didn’t have top receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks for the last two of those games, and the offensive line struggled to protect him in Washington. Sirianni didn’t put the losses on the quarterback alone.

“Obviously, that’s always a difficult thing to think through because it isn’t ever just on one person. Matter of fact, I think Tanner played solid, but this is just what I felt like we needed to do right at this particular moment to give ourselves the best chance to win this weekend,” Sirianni said Friday.

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Joe Milton’s first NFL start

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) throws the ball before the game against the Baltimore Ravens | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Philadelphia signed Milton off the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad on Oct. 16, one day before Hurts landed on injured reserve. Hurts was later diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis and blood clots in both lungs, and he’ll miss the rest of the season.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Milton was a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2024 and has 424 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions across five career appearances. Sirianni pointed to his “very talented arm, very talented athlete” when explaining the switch.

Milton won’t have Smith or Wicks either. Both were ruled out along with Britain Covey, leaving Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore as Philadelphia’s healthy receivers.

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What’s next for Tanner McKee?

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (16) under center against the Carolina Panthers | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

“This is the NFL. Competition is always open,” McKee said Thursday. He added that he’ll “approach it as a competition and be ready in case my number is called.”

Giants at Eagles kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on FOX from Lincoln Financial Field, and Philadelphia has its bye in Week 10.

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