The Eagles’ tight end picture just got thinner, and not by a little. Rookie Eli Stowers has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a quadriceps strain this week, a setback that comes right after he had returned to practice following a hamstring injury that cost him the last week of training camp.
That means Stowers will be out for at least four games, and the timeline for rehab is expected to stretch several weeks. For a rookie already trying to get his footing, the timing could hardly be worse.
Stowers arrived in Philadelphia as a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with a reputation as a dynamic pass catcher out of Vanderbilt. So far, though, that skill set has not shown up in practice or preseason action.
The injuries have only slowed him further, and he’s still not ready to give the Eagles meaningful snaps. His blocking has been an issue, too.
Now the Eagles are left with just three tight ends on the roster: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins.
That’s not a comfortable place to be if Goedert misses time, especially with Mundt and Jenkins offering little in the passing game. Their presence also caps what the Eagles can do in 12 personnel.
Even before Stowers went down, the need for another tight end was obvious. The Eagles need to add someone better than Mundt and Jenkins, whether that comes via a signing or a trade. PHLY’s EJ Smith reported last week that a Zach Ertz return is on the table, and Ertz is one possible answer.
The Eagles also elevated wide receiver Britain Covey for Sunday’s Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders. Covey is set to handle punt returns.
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Eagles Just Created A New Week 1 Tight End Concern
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Britain Covey was temporarily elevated from the practice squad for the opener, giving Philadelphia a little more flexibility as it sorts through the early-season roster. For a team already trying to settle its offense, losing a tight end option this early adds another layer of uncertainty to a position group that now has to absorb the absence and move on quickly. [Read more 🡒]