PHILADELPHIA — Kenny Pickett reminisced about his childhood experiences attending Eagles games alongside his father and grandfather since the age of five. The New Jersey native had always looked up to legendary players such as Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. This week, with Jalen Hurts sidelined due to a concussion, Pickett’s lifelong aspiration was set to be realized; he would take the field as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“It’s incredibly special. I had a lot of family here, especially my dad, who took me to all the games. We have created wonderful memories together,” Pickett said, reflecting on the moment. The quarterback didn’t disappoint, delivering a performance that thrilled his father and the 60,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field. He contributed significantly with both passing and rushing touchdowns, propelling the Eagles to a dominant 41-7 victory over Dallas.

However, the joy was tempered by a concern as Pickett had to exit the game in the third quarter due to rib injuries, leaving doubts over his participation in the upcoming match against the New York Giants. “I’m good. I’ll be alright,” stated Pickett. “I came in with a bit of an injury; we’ll do some more tests and see how it goes. But I’ll be okay.” His chance to start came after Hurts was ruled out last week due to a concussion sustained in a game against Washington.

Acquired from Pittsburgh during the offseason, Pickett played with additional support for his ribs, especially following an earlier injury against the Commanders. He completed 10 out of 15 passes for 143 yards. However, he took a couple of significant hits during the third quarter, including one late hit that drew a flag and another tackle by Micah Parsons that forced him to leave the game. “All the bodies lying on top of you, and then those couple hits afterward, tough,” he admitted. “But it’s part of the game. We love the game, and we do anything to win.”

In Pickett’s absence, third-string quarterback Tanner McKee stepped in and threw two touchdown passes. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged that success in such a position relies on the contributions of various teammates. “You can’t play that position without the greatness of other people, and they had some greatness from other guys out there,” Sirianni remarked.

Following the win, which secured the NFC East title for the Eagles, Pickett celebrated with his teammates on the field. He took a moment to soak in the atmosphere, reflecting on his journey from being a fan to donning the authentic Kelly green uniform and contributing to a significant victory. “It’s special, man,” he expressed. “Sitting out there on the field, I’m sure there’s a kid dreaming about playing for the Eagles and doing the things we did today.”