Covey To IR

The Eagles took another hit to their wide receiver depth Tuesday, placing reserve receiver/punt returner Britain Covey on Injured Reserve and replacing Covey’s roster spot by signing tight end Jack Stoll off the practice squad.

Covey, a third-year pro, broke a bone in his shoulder and is expected to be out for several weeks, if not months. He can still return to the team.

Covey, who last year led the NFL in punt return yards, had one catch for 11 yards in Sunday’s 15-12 win over the Saints at the Superdome. In a Week 2 game against the Falcons, the 2022 undrafted free agent from Utah caught the first passes of his pro career in a six-catch effort for 23 yards.

GETTY IMAGES: An injury to Britain Covey leaves the Eagles with depth concern at both wide receiver and punt returner.

The leading candidates to return punts for the Eagles is likely rookie, second-round defensive back Cooper DeJean, who returned 31 career punts in college at Iowa. DeJean has started his season as the team’s dime cornerback and has played just seven total defensive snaps, none against New Orleans.

Covey had been rotating with rookie Johnny Wilson and practice squad elevation Parris Campbell as the team’s No. 3 receiver behind Devonta Smith and Jahan Dotson with star wideout A.J. Brown sidelined the past two games because of a hamstring injury.

Smith suffered a concussion against the Saints, leaving his status – along with Brown’s – uncertain for Sunday’s game in Tampa against the Buccaneers as the team will reconvene Wednesday for practice.

To bolster the overall team’s depth, the Eagles signed veteran receiver John Ross to the practice squad. The former Bengals and Giants receiver was with the Eagles in training camp but didn’t make the 53-man roster.

The team filled Covey’s roster spot by signing tight end Jack Stoll off the practice squad, giving the Eagles three tight ends.

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.