Eagles 'Last Opportunity to Fight!' Sirianni on Loss to Anthony Richardson's Colts: Live Updates
After spending the week doing joint practices at the Novacare Complex, which even included a brawl on Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night in their preseason finale. ... in what would be a 27-13 loss.
"The guys played hard and fought," coach Nick Sirianni said afterward. "We did not play a lot of guys, just was happy with the way they fought. For some guys, it may have been their last opportunity to fight."
But before we get to August 29 Cutdown Day ... How did this all go down, chronologically? Follow along ...
With quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined for Thursday night's game, one of the most prominent storylines will revolve around the performance of his understudies. In last week's 18-18 tie against the Cleveland Browns, second-string quarterback Marcus Mariota faced significant challenges. He managed just nine completions out of 17 pass attempts and only accumulated 86 passing yards, along with one interception. His performance only resulted in 3 points during the entire first half.
After Mariota's night concluded, he was replaced by third-string quarterback Tanner McKee, who was critical in overcoming an 18-10 fourth-quarter deficit. He completed 10 passes out of 18 pass attempts, throwing for 147 yards, including a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Brady Russell. He then connected with receiver Johnny King for a two-point conversion to tie the game.
The notable difference in play between the two quarterbacks from last week led to Eagles' coach Nick Sirianni being questioned about the possibility of McKee earning the backup quarterback role over Mariota. However, Sirianni confirmed that Mariota will remain the team's backup for this year.
"Way too early on this. Marcus is our backup, and pleased with the way Tanner is playing," Sirianni said.
While it doesn't appear likely that McKee will surpass Mariota as the team's backup this season, if he strings together another impressive performance on Thursday night, it could pave the way for a second-string role in the future.
McKee won't be the only rookie quarterback to experience game action on Thursday night. Former Eagles offensive coordinator and Colts coach Shane Steichen announced earlier this week that Anthony Richardson will start Thursday night's game. Richardson has already been named the starter for Week 1. However, this game will offer him a final opportunity to gather game experience before making his NFL debut.
Additionally, following Richardson's departure from the game on Thursday night, Philadelphia fans will have the opportunity to see a familiar face, as former Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew is expected to see game action.
Stay tuned for live updates of the game.
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FIRST QUARTER
Receiver Devon Allen returns the ball 73 yards to the Colts' 27-yard line.
On third and long, Mariota found receiver Deon Cain for a gain of 21 yards.
On second down, running back Trey Sermon runs for 5 yards, putting the Eagles on the Colts' one-yard line.
TOUCHDOWN EAGLES: Sermon rushes one yard up the middle for a touchdown, giving the Eagles an early lead.
Eagles 7, Colts 0
change of possession
The Colts go three and out on their first drive of the game.
change of possession
The Eagles attempt to go for it on fourth and short but come up short.
turnover on downs
Quarterback Anthony Richardson finds receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for a gain of 13 yards.
After an 8-yard run by Richardson, the quarterback finds tight end Drew Ogletree for a gain of 23 yards.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS: Running back Deon Jackson rushes five yards up the middle for a touchdown, tying the game .
Eagles 7, Colts 7
change of possession
On third down, quarterback Tanner McKee finds Sermon for a gain of 14 yards.
On second down, McKee moves the chains with a 12-yard pass to Cain.
On third down, McKee throws an incomplete pass.
FIELD GOAL EAGLES: Kicker Jake Elliott nails a 59-yard field goal to give the Eagles the lead.
Eagles 10, Colts 7
change of possession
Richardson rushes for a gain of 16 yards
On third down, running back Evan Hull rushes for a pickup of 6 yards, moving the chains.
On second down, Hull picks up a first down with a 6-yard rush.
Richardson connects with Pittman for a pickup of 11 yards.
END OF FIRST QUARTER
START OF SECOND QUARTER
TOUCHDOWN COLTS: Hull rushes for 1 yard, scoring a touchdown to give the Colts the lead.
Colts 14, Eagles 10
change of possession
On second down, McKee finds Cain for 7 yards.
On third down, McKee is sacked, forcing an Eagles punt.
change of possession
On third and long, Richardson scrambles for a pickup of 12 yards to extend the drive.
Richardson finds receiver Kylen Granson for a pickup of 17 yards.
On third and long, Richardson scrambles for five yards, but it's not enough for an Eagles first down, forcing an Eagles punt.
FIELD GOAL COLTS: Kicker Lucas Havrisik nails a 41-yard field goal, extending Indy's lead.
Colts 17, Eagles 10
change of possession
On third down, McKee connects with Cain for 11 yards, extending the Eagles' drive.
On third down, McKee throws an incomplete pass.
On fourth down, McKee finds receiver Joseph Ngata for a gain of 19 yards.
On third and long, McKee can't connect with receiver Freddie Swain.
FIELD GOAL EAGLES: Elliott drills a 52-yarder to reduce the Colts' lead.
Colts 17, Eagles 13
change of possession
The Eagles' defense forces a Colts three and out.
change of possession
On first down, McKee finds tight end Tyree Jackson for a pickup of 15 yards.
On the second down, McKee finds Jackson for a pickup of 8 yards.
McKee finds Ngata for a gain of 9 yards, but the receiver fumbles and the ball is recovered by Colts linebacker Segun Olubi.
change of possession
The Eagles' defense forces the Colts offense to go three and out.
change of possession
On second and long, McKee finds Sermon for a pickup of 8 yards.
HALFTIME
THIRD QUARTER
On second and short, the running back Jake Funk rushes for a 6-yard gain.
On second down, quarterback Gardner Minshew finds receiver Isiah McKenzie for a 12-yard gain.
On first down, Minshew finds tight end Pharaoh Brown for a gain of 16 yards.
On second down, Minshew finds receiver Breshad Perriman for a gain of 12 yards.
TOUCHDOWN COLTS: Minshew connects with running back Kenyan Drake for a gain of 8 yards, extending the Colts' lead.
Colts 24, Eagles 13
change of possession
On fourth and short, Sermon rushes up the middle for 4 yards.
On third and long, McKee throws an incomplete pass, forcing the Eagles to punt.
change of possession
On third down, Minshew finds tight end Will Mallory for a gain of 22 yards.
Minshew connects with Mallory for a 21-yard gain.
On third down, Minshew can't connect with Funk
On fourth down, the Eagles' defense is able to prevent the Colts from moving the chains.
turnover on downs
The Colts' defense forces the Eagles' offense to go three and out.
END OF THIRD QUARTER
START OF FOURTH
On third and long, quarterback Sam Ehlinger finds Drake for a gain of 14 yards.
On fourth and short, Ehlinger picks up a first down with a 4-yard gain.
Ehlinger finds receiver D.J. Montgomery for a pickup of 18 yards.
Ehlinger connects with Montgomery for a gain of 10 yards.
Ehlinger is intercepted by Eagles linebacker Tyreek Maddox-Williams, who returns the ball for 42 yards until he is pushed out of bounds at the Colts' 43-yard line.
change of possession
Quarterback Ian Book connects with Swain for a gain of 10 yards.
On third and long, Book throws a pass to running back Kennedy Brooks for a gain of nine yards.
Brooks is stopped short on fourth down.
change of possession
On third and short, Ehlinger finds running back Jason Huntley for a gain of 34 yards.
Ehlinger throws an incomplete pass on third down, forcing a fourth down.
FIELD GOAL COLTS: Havrisik drills a 47-yard field goal, extending the Colts' lead.
Colts 27, Eagles 13
change of possession
On second down, Book finds tight end Brady Russell for a gain of 6 yards.
On second down, Book picks up a first down with a 7-yard run.
On third down, Book connects with Russell for a gain of 12 yards.
FINAL: Indianapolis 27, Philadelphia 13
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