Eli Stowers’ first NFL season will begin with an extended absence.
The Philadelphia Eagles placed the rookie tight end on injured reserve Saturday after initially downgrading him to out for Sunday’s season opener against the Washington Commanders. Stowers is dealing with quadriceps and hamstring injuries and must miss at least four games. The move means Stowers will be unavailable against Washington, Kansas City, Dallas and the Los Angeles Rams. His earliest opportunity to make his NFL debut would come in Week 5, provided he receives medical clearance and Philadelphia designates him to return.
Stowers had already been working through a hamstring injury sustained late in training camp. He was listed as a limited participant during the Eagles’ first
official practice week before the quadriceps issue was added to his designation.
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
Philadelphia selected Stowers with the No. 54 overall pick in April’s draft. The 6-foot-3, 239-pound tight end earned first-team All-America honors and won the John Mackey Award during his final college season.
The Eagles drafted Stowers with an eye toward his long-term development behind Dallas Goedert. His athleticism and experience playing quarterback and wide receiver gave offensive coordinator Sean Mannion another potential receiving threat to move around the formation.
That development will now be temporarily interrupted.
Goedert will remain Philadelphia’s starting tight end, with Johnny Mundt and E.J. Jenkins providing depth during Stowers’ absence. The Eagles have enough veterans to avoid rushing their rookie back before his injuries have completely healed. Stowers’ professional debut will have to wait, but Philadelphia’s investment was always centered on what he could become beyond the opening month of his rookie season.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles place rookie tight end Eli Stowers on injured reserve
