Eagles Start Joe Milton Over Tanner McKee
Milton will make his first NFL start Sunday against the New York Giants after Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football
The Philadelphia Eagles have named Joe Milton the starting quarterback over Tanner McKee for Week 9 against the New York Giants on Sunday. A team source confirmed the decision to The Inquirer on Wednesday, and ESPN first reported the change.
Why it matters
The change follows Jalen Hurts being placed on injured reserve due to blood clots in his lungs, leaving the Eagles without their starter. Milton, who has been with the team for less than a month, will face the Giants in his first NFL start.
Milton's career NFL line covers five games with 37 completions on 53 attempts (69.8%), 424 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The source does not indicate how long Hurts will be sidelined.
The players
Joe Milton
Milton is a quarterback whose NFL career has included stops with the New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and now the Philadelphia Eagles, after being drafted out of Tennessee.
Jalen Hurts
Hurts is the Eagles' starting quarterback who was placed on injured reserve due to blood clots in his lungs, opening the door for Milton to start.
Tanner McKee
McKee is a quarterback who lost the starting job to Milton for the Eagles' Week 9 game against the Giants.
The details
The Eagles signed Milton off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad just over two weeks ago after placing Hurts on injured reserve. Milton, a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2024 out of Tennessee, joined Dallas via trade in April 2025 before arriving in Philadelphia, his third NFL stop.
Timeline
2024: Milton drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round.
April 2025: Milton joins the Dallas Cowboys via trade.
Just over two weeks before the Week 9 game: Eagles sign Milton from the Cowboys' practice squad.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: A team source confirms the starter decision to The Inquirer.
Sunday: Milton makes his first NFL start against the New York Giants.
Season Trajectory
The move puts Milton in charge of the Eagles' offense immediately after Hurts' injury, a development that tests Philadelphia's depth at quarterback during the season. How Milton performs against the Giants will shape the team's options at the position over the remaining weeks.
Milton's first start replaces McKee in the Eagles' lineup for Week 9, changing the quarterback options for fantasy rosters and the team's depth chart. Fans and fantasy managers will track whether Milton can sustain the offense while Hurts remains on injured reserve.
The takeaway
Teams with depth behind their starter can absorb an injury quickly, and Milton's Sunday start will show how much the Eagles' offense depends on its backup plan. Watch the early drives to see whether the change alters Philadelphia's approach.
What happens next
The Eagles host the New York Giants on Sunday, when Milton makes his first NFL start.
Further reading
Find more coverage in the Football section.
