Third-string quarterback Tanner McKee had an NFL debut to remember on Sunday while throwing his first career touchdown and helping the Eagles clinch the NFC East.

But he almost lost his milestone ball due to a lapse by A.J. Brown. Thanks to an understanding Eagles fan, McKee finished the game with the ball in addition to a win over the Dallas Cowboys.

McKee played on Sunday thanks to injuries to Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett.

Hurts remained in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in Week 16 and did not start in Sunday’s game. Then, in the third quarter, backup Pickett left the game after taking a shot to the ribs.

The injury took place on a pass play in the red zone. Pickett threw the ball in the end zone and took a hit from Micah Parsons that left him doubled over in pain.

Pickett’s touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith was overturned by a holding penalty, and McKee took over for a third-down handoff before the Eagles kicked a field goal.

The Eagles listed Pickett as questionable to return with a rib injury. Philadelphia, which had already clinched a playoff berth, held a 24-7 lead over the Cowboys at the time of Pickett’s injury.

McKee remained in the game for the next series as Pickett went to the locker room for evaluation of his injury. A sixth-round pick in the 2023 draft, McKee had never thrown an NFL pass prior to Sunday.

On his first full possession leading the Eagles offense, he threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brown to extend Philadelphia’s lead to 34-7.

Brown then promptly threw the touchdown ball into the stands for a fan souvenir, apparently unaware that it was the first touchdown pass of McKee’s career. Brown quickly realized his error and offered to trade his jersey to the fan that caught the ball in exchange for McKee’s milestone ball.

The Eagles worked things out with the fan to make sure that McKee got his ball. The fan handed the ball back down to Eagles security staffer “Big Dom” DiSandro. And Brown delivered on his promise to give his jersey to the fan, complete with an autograph.

Not a bad deal.

Pickett eventually returned to the sideline without his helmet, his day done as Philadelphia held a 27-point lead. His prognosis wasn’t immediately clear.

The Eagles rolled to a 41-7 win to improve to 13-3 and clinch the NFC East title as Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. McKee finished his day completing 3-of-4 passes for 54 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers. His second touchdown was a 25-yard pass to Smith in the second quarter.

Hurts has one week to clear concussion protocol before Philadelphia’s season finale next Sunday against the Giants and at least two weeks before the Eagles play in the playoffs. In the meantime, McKee can bask in a successful NFL debut.