Eli Stowers won’t be making his regular-season debut any time soon.
The rookie tight end, a second-round pick out of Vanderbilt, was ruled out for Sunday’s season opener against the Washington Commanders with quadriceps and hamstring injuries. He has been placed on injured reserve, requiring him to miss at least the next four games.
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Stowers was dealing with a hamstring issue since the last week of training camp, but the quadriceps injury is a new development. He reported discomfort in his leg. Subsequent digital imaging showed that he had sustained a quadriceps strain, which will sideline him for the next several weeks as he undergoes treatment and rehabilitation.
We have downgraded TE Eli Stowers to out for tomorrow’s game with quadriceps and hamstring injuries. He has been placed on the Injured Reserve List. We have also elevated WR Britain Covey for the game. pic.twitter.com/4hGlWIiBY6
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 12, 2026
On Friday, Stowers had been optimistic about his availability for Week 1. He said after practice that it was “the plan” for him to play against the Commanders. However, he was listed as questionable to play on the final injury report released later that afternoon.
Stowers had a relatively quiet training camp and preseason performances. He finished with three receptions for 12 yards in two games, as he was sidelined for the final preseason game. Still, the rookie tight end was pleased with his development in various areas throughout the summer.
“With the playbook, the route tree, the schemes, the blocking schemes, pass blocking, really every single aspect,” Stowers said Friday. “Special teams. I think training camp was a really good learning experience for me, and I was really encouraged to see me get better in every single aspect, because that’s really what my goal was.”
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With Stowers sidelined, Makai Lemon could be the only Eagles rookie to contribute in a non-special-teams role on Sunday.
The Eagles will have three tight ends at their disposal on game day — Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, and EJ Jenkins. The Eagles do not currently have a tight end on the practice squad. Stowers joins fellow tight end Grant Calcaterra on injured reserve.
Additionally, the Eagles elevated Britain Covey from the practice squad to the game-day roster. The Eagles communications department listed Lemon as their first-string punt returner on the depth chart that was released Tuesday, but could turn to Covey, 29, as he has returned punts over the last four seasons.
Last year, Covey had 11.3 yards per punt return, which was above the league average of 10.2.
The regular season is almost here! All the preseason talk has been about Jalen Hurts and new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. But there’s somebody else who will have a big say in how high the Eagles fly. The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane explains why this year, in the absence of traded star A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith has to take the next step, while also taking charge of the Eagles’ wide receivers group. Plus, Jeff dips into the mailbag for listener questions about Jalen Hurts and some key roster spots. Listen here.
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