Eagles-Steelers inactives: Johnny Wilson will play, Pittsburgh missing three starters

PHILADELPHIA — Eagles wide receiver Johnny Wilson will play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers after being listed as questionable Saturday because of an illness.

The rookie sixth-round pick has been active for all but one game this season and has two catches for 14 yards and one touchdown.

BUY EAGLES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

The team revealed Friday on its injury report that punt returner/wide receiver Britain Covey will miss his second straight game this season with a neck injury, which means cornerback Cooper DeJean will be asked to handle punt returns. This is the ninth game overall missed by Covey, who sat out seven games earlier this season after suffering a fractured scapula in Week 3 against the Saints.

DeJean, in addition to having a terrific rookie season as the slot cornerback since moving into the starting lineup in Week 6, has also been solid as the punt returner in Covey’s absence. The second-round pick out or Iowa has returned 15 punts for 167 yards. His 11.1-yard average is sixth in the NFL.

In addition to Covey, the Eagles’ healthy inactives for Week 15 are cornerback Eli Ricks, offensive linemen Nick Gates, Trevor Keegan and Darian Kinnard. Tanner McKee is the third quarterback.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will be without three injured starters, including star receiver George Pickens, who is sitting out his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Safety DeShon Elliot (hamstring) and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) are also out. The Steelers’ other inactive is cornerback Cory Trice and Kyle Allen is the third quarterback.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Bob Brookover can be reached at rbrookover@njadvancemedia.com