Ian Book News

Since the Eagles claimed him off waivers from the Saints in late August, Book has yet to suit up in a game this season while both Hurts and Minshew have been healthy up to this point. Book will finally get the opportunity to don a Philadelphia uniform Saturday, but he likely won't be called upon from the bench unless Minshew suffers an in-game injury or if the game turns non-competitive.

Book will join the Eagles' quarterback room after being waived by the Saints on Tuesday. The 24-year-old will enter the season as the team's third option behind Jalen Hurts and Gardner Minshew.

Book put forth his best showing off the offseason during the Saints' preseason finale, when he completed 11-of-15 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers, while adding an impressive 50 rushing yards. However, the 2021 fourth-round pick ultimately faced steep odds of earning a spot behind Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton. If he goes unclaimed on waivers, Book will be a likely candidate to resurface on the practice squad.

Book goes from starting last Sunday against Miami to inactive in Week 17 against the Panthers. With the returns of Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian from COVID protocols, Book falls back to third on the quarterback positional depth chart and the Saints will use that roster space elsewhere Sunday.

Getting the start at quarterback in his NFL debut, Book struggled mightily behind a banged-up offensive line. Not only did the rookie throw a pick-six on his second pass attempt, but he ultimately took eight sacks, went 0-for-12 on third-down conversions, and accumulated nearly half of his passing yards during the final drive of overtime. He also was hardly a threat as a runner despite showing above-average mobility in his previous four years at Notre Dame. If Taysom Hill (COVID-19) or Trevor Siemian (COVID-19) can gain medical clearance in the coming days, Book should go right back to riding the bench.

Both Hill and Siemian were placed on the COVID-19 list Thursday following positive tests for the virus, setting Book up for his first regular-season action in the NFL. A fourth-round rookie, Book has made just one appearance as a pro back in the preseason, when he completed nine of 16 attempts for 126 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. He did shoe some mobility at the collegiate level at Notre Dame, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and scoring 17 TDs on the ground in 45 appearances. Meanwhile, Blake Bortles has been elevated from the practice squad to serve as the Saints' Week 16 backup QB.