The Philadelphia Eagles have made some important roster changes after a series of injuries ahead of their Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
On Tuesday, they placed wide receiver Britain Covey on injured reserve, moved tight end Jack Stoll to the 53-man roster, and signed wide receiver John Ross to the practice squad.
These moves are necessary because several key players are injured, and it’s affecting the team’s depth on both offense and special teams.
As for Covey, he got injured during the Eagles’ Week 3 win against the New Orleans Saints.
He has suffered a broken bone in his shoulder, which means he will be out for at least six weeks.
Being on injured reserve automatically makes him miss at least four games, but Covey thinks he won’t be back until Week 10 when the Eagles play the Dallas Cowboys.
The good news is that the Eagles have a bye in Week 5, giving Covey extra time to recover.
Before his injury, Covey played in three games this season, catching seven passes for 42 yards.
He was also the team’s main punt returner.
With Covey out, rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean is expected to take over that role.
DeJean stepped in after Covey got injured during the Saints game and performed well in college, averaging 13.1 yards per punt return at Iowa.
While he seems promising, it’s still unclear if he can match Covey, who is considered one of the best punt returners in the NFL.
Plus, Covey’s injury also affects the Eagles’ wide receiver depth.
Unfortunately, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the team’s top two receivers, are also dealing with injuries.
Brown has been out with a hamstring injury for two games, and Smith is recovering from a concussion he got during the Saints game.
If neither Brown nor Smith is ready to play in Week 4, the Eagles will be very short on receivers, with only Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson on the active roster.
To help with this, the Eagles signed wide receiver John Ross to their practice squad.
Ross, a former first-round pick, joined the Eagles during the summer but didn’t make the final roster because he got injured during the preseason.
Now that the Eagles are short on wide receivers, Ross could be called up for Week 4.
His speed and experience could give the Eagles a much-needed boost, especially if Brown and Smith remain unavailable.
Along with these wide receiver moves, the Eagles also promoted tight end Jack Stoll to the active roster.
Regarding Stoll, he has been with the team since 2021, mainly serving as a backup tight end.
He was moved up from the practice squad for Week 3 against the Saints, where he played 19 snaps, helping both on offense and special teams.
Known for his blocking skills more than his catching abilities, Stoll could play an important role, especially if the Eagles need more help protecting their quarterback.
On that note, Stoll’s promotion follows some roster moves that may seem surprising.
He was waived by the New York Giants earlier this year but quickly re-signed with the Eagles.
His return to the active roster now suggests the Eagles want a better balance in their tight end rotation, especially after some struggles with their other tight end, Grant Calcaterra, who had trouble blocking in the Saints game.
In addition to the changes in the receiver and tight end positions, the Eagles also face issues on the offensive line.
To add to their challenges, right tackle Lane Johnson and right guard Mekhi Becton left the game against the Saints with injuries.
Johnson is recovering from a concussion and is listed as questionable for Week 4.
Meanwhile, Becton injured his finger and may miss time as well.
However, backups Tyler Steen and Fred Johnson did well filling in during the Saints game.
If Johnson and Becton can’t play in Week 4, things could be more difficult for the Eagles.
The offensive line must step up and protect quarterback Jalen Hurts as the team tries to continue its winning streak.
Although the backup players have shown they can handle the pressure, the Eagles could face bigger problems if injuries continue to mount.
Despite these setbacks, some players are excited about the opportunity to take on larger roles.
Jahan Dotson, one of the receivers filling in, said, “This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for since I got into the NFL. Just being out there on Sundays and showcasing my talent, making plays for the team. That’s my goal — to help the team win.”
Moving forward, the Eagles will need to handle their injuries wisely and make the best use of their available players.
And their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 will be a major challenge.
The team will depend on experienced veterans and younger players to rise to the occasion.
As we can see, every player’s contribution will be important as the Eagles try to keep their season on track despite the setbacks.
