Eagles Today

Eagles' Bring Back Familiar Face; Foreshadow Full-Time Move To Fullback

Eagles FB Ben VanSumeren is back for his third season in Philadelphia while the Eagles turned down an expensive restricted free agent tender on Britain Covey,
John McMullen|
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren.
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren. | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia Eagles

Fullback Ben VanSumeren has signed his exclusive rights tender with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Originally an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State in 2023, VanSumeren, 24, is set to enter his third NFL season in September.

The athletic VanSumeren had carved out an interesting triple-threat role as a backup linebacker, special teams stalwart, and an occasional fullback in front of Saquon Barkley last season before he tore his ACL in a November practice.

VanSumeren underwent surgery under famed Los Angeles-based orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache and should be ready to go sometime this summer.

A core special-teamer for Michael Clay, VanSumeren played 213 snaps over 11 games with three tackles on the third phase and another 22 on offense as the fullback, a role that was increasing when he was injured. He was the fifth linebacker behind starters Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean as well as backups Oren Burks and Jeremiah Trotter.

However, when the Eagles confirmed the deal with VanSumeren, the media relations department was told to reference BVS as a fullback, foreshadowing a full-time move to the offense.

Before ending his college career at MSU, VanSumeren started it at Michigan and began as a fullback before switching to the defense side. He was also a standout offensive player in high school.

In other roster news, the Eagles did not tender pending restricted free agent Britain Covey, which was expected because the minimum one-year offer would have been $3.26 million. Covey now becomes an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team.

The receiver/punt returner is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he played five games due to a broken scapula and some complications trying to come back from the injury.

One of the best punt returners in the NFL when healthy, Covey, 28, was starting to earn a bigger role on offense when the setback occurred. If he's given a clean bill of health, the Eagles might be interested in a lesser deal so they can take the PR duties off of star slot cornerback Cooper DeJean.

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John McMullen
JOHN MCMULLEN

John McMullen is a veteran reporter who has covered the NFL for over two decades. The current NFL insider for JAKIB Media, John is the former NFL Editor for The Sports Network where his syndicated column was featured in over 200 outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and Miami Herald. He was also the national NFL columnist for Today's Pigskin as well as FanRag Sports. McMullen has covered the Eagles on a daily basis since 2016, first for ESPN South Jersey and now for Eagles Today on SI.com's FanNation. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube.com. John is also the host of his own show "Extending the Play" on AM1490 in South Jersey and part of 6ABC.com's live postgame show after every Eagles game. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen

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