Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey (85) returns a kickoff during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
As the Philadelphia Eagles look to end their four-game losing streak on Monday Night Football against their arch-divisional rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, they will have to do so without one of their key special teams players: Britain Covey.
Taking to social media to update fans on the returner's status after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter, Covey has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the contest, with recent practice squad signee Elijah Mitchell appearing in his first game since 2025, taking over on the team's second kick return of the contest.
Initially joining the Birds as a 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of Utah, Covey has exclusively played for Philly as a pro, temporarily leaving the team in May of 2025 to sign with the Los Angeles Rams, only to return to the Eagles' practice squad in August following his release. While he's never been targeted more than eight times in a season as a wide receiver, his production as a kick and punt returner has kept him in the mix through multiple Super Bowl runs, one he won – on injured reserve – and one he lost.
With Covey out, it would appear Mitchell will be in charge of return duties in a game where no team punted at the midway point of the second quarter, taking his first chance 16 yards before a touchback prevented a second return. With no kick returns on his career, largely with the San Francisco 49ers, Mitchell will have a regular baptism by fire in his first game of the 2026 season.