Joe Milton III got his first start of the season for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, and the former Tennessee quarterback walked into a rough one.
With Jalen Hurts sidelined, the Eagles turned to Milton III, who spent three seasons with the Vols after transferring from Michigan. His college path included an early run as Tennessee’s starter before an injury opened the door for Hendon Hooker to take over for most of the next two seasons. Milton III eventually reclaimed the job, guided Tennessee to the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and then opted out for the NFL.
Since then, his pro journey has taken him from the New England Patriots to the Cowboys and then to Philadelphia, where he was asked to step in against the New York Giants. It did not go the way the Eagles hoped.
Philadelphia fell to the Giants, who were led by former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, in a game that featured sloppy offense on both sides. Milton III never found much rhythm in the loss.
He completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards. On the ground, he added nine carries for 64 yards and also lost a fumble. The pass protection around him was shaky, too, as he was sacked seven times, a number that pointed to bigger problems for the Eagles’ offense.
Whether Milton III gets another start remains to be seen with Hurts out for the rest of the season. If he is going to hold down an NFL starting job, he’ll need cleaner play from himself - and more help from the group around him.
Philadelphia now heads into a bye week before facing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Nov. 22, a matchup that could give Milton III another shot.
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The outing came in a divisional loss to the New York Giants, but Milton still gave Philadelphia a glimpse of the traits that made him such a fascinating pro prospect. He completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards and also led the Eagles in rushing with 64 yards, a reminder of the size, arm strength and mobility that helped carry him through a six-year college run at Michigan and Tennessee before the Patriots drafted him in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. [Read more 🡒]