Sunday's Super Bowl 59 rematch is one of the biggest NFL games this week, and the Philadelphia Eagles are ready to take on the Kansas City Chiefs again. The defending Super Bowl Champions will count on Jalen Hurts to lead them into battle against Patrick Mahomes & Co., but that hasn't stopped Eagles fans from wondering about the team's backup quarterback situation.
Sam Howell, who was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in August, has been handling Philadelphia's QB2 duties with Tanner McKee on the sidelines. McKee, 25, hasn't practiced since fracturing his right thumb last month, leaving Eagles fans to wonder when he'd return to action.
As it turns out, that day happened to be Friday. Delaware News Journal's Martin Frank is reporting that McKee was "taking a few pre-practice" tosses. It wasn't much longer after that when PHLY Sports' EJ Smith added that the Eagles signal-caller was sporting a glove on his injured hand.
Eagles QB Tanner McKee Returns to Practice for 1st Time Since August
The Eagles didn't put McKee on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) before the 2025 season began, meaning they always expected the third-year gunslinger to return sooner rather than later. A PUP placement would've forced him to miss the team's first four games, and Friday's development points to his potentially returning before then.
Howell has a solid amount of experience under center due to his time with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, but there's no question that McKee is the Eagles' real QB2. The former North Carolina signal-caller would've been Hurts' backup in Week 1 had it not been for his fractured thumb, and that's a role he'll find himself in when he's cleared for in-game action.
McKee created a lot of goodwill among Eagles fans with his limited action in 2024. The Irvine, CA native completed 30-of-45 passing attempts for 323 yards, four touchdowns, and a 117.2 passer rating in two appearances, which includes leading Philly to a 20-13 win in his first NFL start against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18.
McKee's looming return means the Eagles can feel confident knowing that their true QB2 is on the way. That isn't a slight against Howell. It's just that McKee has already proven that he can succeed under head coach Nick Sirianni's watch, and the Eagles would likely feel more comfortable throwing him in a game than Howell if it came down to it.
Nevertheless, Eagles fans will keep a close eye on every step of progress McKee makes, patiently awaiting his return to the gridiron.