Eagles rookie TE Eli Stowers headed to IR

Key Points:

• Philadelphia Eagles rookie tight end Eli Stowers is being placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the season.
• Stowers, a former high school quarterback turned tight end, impressed at the NFL Combine with record-breaking vertical and broad jumps and a fast 4.51-second 40-yard dash, showcasing elite athleticism despite being undersized.
• In college at Vanderbilt, Stowers was used in versatile roles to exploit mismatches, demonstrating speed and yards after catch, but his blocking skills and consistency as a receiver were seen as areas needing improvement.
• During training camp, Stowers struggled to translate his athletic potential into on-field production, appearing tentative in blocking and limited in catching beyond short routes, likely due to adjusting mentally to the NFL's speed and complexity.
• With Stowers likely inactive even if healthy, the Eagles may consider signing veteran tight end Zach Ertz after Week 1 to bolster their tight end depth.