McKee came in for injured Kenny Pickett
Santa Colin hands out Christmas gifts to NFL squads, featuring the Eagles, 49ers, Packers | The Herd
Santa Colin Cowherd hands out Christmas presents to several NFL teams this holiday season, including the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers.
The Philadelphia Eagles needed Tanner McKee to step into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys as Kenny Pickett left with a rib injury.
The Eagles selected McKee in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of Stanford. But he had never seen any action in a regular-season game. With Jalen Hurts already out and Pickett in the locker room, McKee took the reins and the team didn’t really miss a beat.
Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
McKee found star wide receiver A.J. Brown with 2:44 left in the third quarter for a 20-yard touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown pass of his career. But Brown made a major faux pas by throwing the football into the stands at Lincoln Financial Field. He didn’t realize it was McKee’s first touchdown pass until he got back to the sideline.
PATRIOTS FANS CHANT 'FIRE MAYO' AS TEAM SUFFERS BLOWOUT LOSS TO CHARGERS
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) launches the football into the stands after catching a touchdown pass during the second half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Luckily, Eagles fans support their own and the team got the ball back.
AJ Brown's reaction when he found out he threw Tanner McKee's first touchdown ball into the stands 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/FpslAdI6RH
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 29, 2024
McKee then hit DeVonta Smith for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The team went up 41-7 at the point. They won the game by the same score and clinched the NFC East title.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown gestures toward the stands after realizing the football he launched onto the stands was quarterback Tanner McKee's first career touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
If Pickett is hurt next week, McKee may be in line to start in the season finale against the New York Giants. Philadelphia will likely sit its key players until the wild-card round of the playoffs begins.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
