Eagles sign safety Anthony Harris and punter Brett Kern to the practice squad

The Eagles on Tuesday made quick work accounting for two injuries, signing punter Brett Kern and safety Anthony Harris to the practice squad.

Both will be eligible to get called up and could each fill roles vacated by Arryn Siposs and Reed Blankenship, who both sustained injuries in the Eagles 48-22 win over the New York Giants last Sunday. Harris, 31, played for the Eagles last season and spent training camp with the team before getting released just before cut-down day in August.

Kern, 36, is a 14-year veteran and a three-time Pro Bowler who spent most of his career with the Tennessee Titans before starting this season as a free agent. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said Siposs, who injured his ankle when he took a hard while recovering a blocked punt near the sideline, is expected to miss more time than the team originally expected. The Eagles placed the 30-year-old from Australia on injured reserve Tuesday, meaning he will miss — at a minimum — the rest of the regular season.

Kern would also take over the holding duties typically reserved for punters. Return specialist Britain Covey replaced Siposs as the holder against the Giants without a hiccup, but Eagles special teams coordinator Michael Clay said Kern should capably fill the role.

“We were very fortunate that he’s not on an active roster right now,” Clay said. “Having Brett, being a veteran guy who is also a very good holder and has been in some playoff games in terms of his career — I mean, you guys see his accolades. He’s a very good punter, so we’re very fortunate he was just out there.”

Clay said he isn’t concerned with the moving parts that come with replacing a member of the kicking operation on field goals and points after touchdowns because of Kern’s experience. He also pointed to the team’s success integrating rookie kicker Cameron Dicker into the group when Jake Elliott missed one game with an ankle injury.

“I think it’s just more of them getting used to each other right there,” Clay said. “In terms of the cadence, how Jake likes to come up on the ball. I’m not too worried about it, it’s a veteran crew.”

» READ MORE: Eagles to sign a new punter after an injury leaves Arryn Siposs out indefinitely

Harris started 14 games for the Eagles last season and figures to assume a similar position as a deep safety. The team was already without starting safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and now must replace Blankenship, an undrafted rookie who played well in relief of Gardner-Johnson.

Harris not only has experience with the Eagles defense last season, but also had familiarity with defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon dating back to their shared time in Minnesota.

“He knows our system,” Gannon said. “His football character is through the roof. We’ll get him up to speed, see where he’s at and get him going.”

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K’Von Wallace filled in for Blankenship in the Giants game, but is more of a box safety rather than one who stays deep, which is where Blankenship and Gardner-Johnson logged the majority of their snaps.

Gannon has used Wallace as the extra defensive back in dime packages at times this season and gave him a vote of confidence for his play in those situations, which typically come on third downs.

“He plays some high-leverage snaps for us when he comes in the game,” Gannon said. “I expect K’Von to go in there and play well. He started however many games last year, I think three games, and played winning football for us.”