Dallas Goedert has ankle fracture; Eagles place TE on injured reserve, bring in Hakeem Butler from Carolina

The Eagles’ Dallas Goedert suffered a fracture in his left ankle on Sunday, an NFL source told The Inquirer.

Coach Doug Pederson said Monday that Goedert would “miss some time” with a “lower body injury," but he didn’t provide details. The Eagles placed him on injured reserve Tuesday, which would sideline the tight end for at least three weeks.

After freeing up the roster spot, the team made an interesting move, signing Hakeem Butler off the Carolina practice squad. Butler, a 6-foot-5, 224-pound, fourth-round Cardinals draft choice in 2019, has been a wide receiver, but the Eagles called him a tight end. In the NFL, the distinction isn’t as sharp as it once was. Josh Perkins, a 6-3, 241-pound Eagles tight end on IR, would have been a wide receiver in another era.

There was public speculation that Goedert suffered a high-ankle sprain, but he was diagnosed with a mild sprain, along with a small fracture. He injured his ankle early in Sunday’s 23-23 tie with the Bengals, when he was tackled after catching a 7-yard pass.

The Eagles are expected to be without multiple starters on offense when they travel to face the 49ers on Sunday. Joining Goedert will be wide receiver Jalen Reagor, though Reagor (thumb) is not on IR. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who injured his hamstring Sunday, seems unlikely to play. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery could make his first appearance of the season after coming back from foot surgery in December.

The offensive line will be without left guard Isaac Seumalo (knee). Right guard Brandon Brooks (Achilles) was lost for the season in June, and left tackle Andre Dillard (bicep) was lost for the season in August.

Zach Ertz and Richard Rodgers are the Eagles' two other veteran tight ends. The Eagles didn’t employ as much “12” personnel — two tight ends — after Goedert left Sunday. No other team in the NFL has used the package as much.

The Eagles activated the 21-day practice window for sixth-round rookie wide receiver Quez Watkins, who was on IR with an unspecified upper-body injury. That means they have three weeks to get Watkins ready to play before he counts on the roster. If they decide Watkins isn’t ready, he can go back on IR, but then he can’t come off it this season. Given the team’s injury problems at wideout, this would seem like a good opportunity for the speedy receiver from Southern Mississippi.

The Eagles' four protected practice squad players for this week are wide receivers Deontay Burnett and Travis Fulgham, center Luke Juriga and running back Adrian Killins. Burnett caught three passes for 19 yards against the Bengals.

The team added a tight end, Jason Croom, to the practice squad, along with corner Michael Jacquet, who was part of the group previously. Released were running back Michael Warren and tight end Jordan Franks.