NFL News: Ian Book Signs Eagles Contract amid Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett Injuries

The Philadelphia Eagles have added another quarterback amid injuries to Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett.

The Eagles signed Ian Book to their practice squad Thursday, a move that was first reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Tanner McKee and Book will top the Eagles' depth chart if Hurts (concussion) and Pickett (ribs) miss Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Book made his lone NFL start with the New Orleans Saints in 2021, and previously joined the Eagles' practice squad in 2022. He has gone unsigned since he was waived by the Kansas City Chiefs in August.

The signing comes after Book visited the Eagles on Wednesday, according to Garafolo.

McKee will likely remain the Eagles' third-string option following the addition of Book. He has yet to see NFL action since being selected by Philadelphia in the sixth round of the 2023 draft.

The signing of Book gives the Eagles a third quarterback if Hurts remains sidelined this weekend after suffering a concussion in the first quarter of a Week 16 loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday.

Head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Monday that Hurts was in the league's concussion protocol. The quarterback did not rejoin the team for practice on Wednesday, according to the team's injury report.

Kenny Pickett, who stepped in for Hurts following his injury, finished out the game but later said he underwent X-rays on his ribs following the loss.

Pickett was limited in practice on Wednesday, according to the injury report. The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane reported on Thursday that Pickett "is trending toward being ready for the Cowboys game."

If Pickett gets the nod on Sunday, it would mark his first start for the two-year Pittsburgh Steelers QB1 since he was traded by his former team in March.

The injury to Hurts will further strain the Eagles' odds of clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which already dropped following the loss to the Commanders. The Eagles still have a path to the top of the conference, but it involves only by winning out starting with a victory over the Cowboys this weekend.