LANDOVER, Md. – Quarterback Kenny Pickett, playing in place of Jalen Hurts, threw his first touchdown pass in an Eagles uniform against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Hurts left the game midway through the first quarter and was evaluated for a concussion after his head hit the turf when he was hit by linebacker Frankie Luvu as he fell to the ground following a 13-yard run.

Pickett helped end the drive by hitting receiver AJ Brown for a 4-yard touchdown that gave Philadelphia a 14-0 lead.

Kenny Pickett jumps in and throws a touchdown to AJ Brown!

📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/P8lX2CPRsk

– NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was acquired along with a 2024 fourth-round pick in March in exchange for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks to serve as the No. 2 signal-caller.

As a starter in Pittsburgh, he went 14-10 and threw 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

The Pickett TD pass was followed by an electrifying 73-yard touchdown run from Saquon Barkley later in the first quarter.

Barkley committed to the offense early, giving a boost to his storming title hopes. He rushed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter, highlighted by a 68-yard touchdown that scampered down the left sideline with 2:18 left in the first frame.

Untouched. @Saquon up to 100 yards and 2 TDs in the first quarter!

📺: #PHIvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UQT9g7XPMB

– NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024

Barkley is the first player with more than 100 rushing yards and more than two rushing TDs in an opening quarter since the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson in Week 14 against the Bears. Peterson was named NFL MVP that season.

Barkley entered Sunday with 1,688 rushing yards, 417 yards behind Eric Dickerson for the most rushing yards in a season in NFL history.