Christian Covington
{{Short description|Canadian American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Distinguish|Chris Covington}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Christian Covington
| image = 2024, 56, Christian Covington.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Covington with the BC Lions in 2024
| current_team = BC Lions
| number = 56
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|10|16}}
| birth_place = Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 305
| high_school = Vancouver (BC) College Prep
| college = Rice
| draftyear = 2015
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 216
| cfldraftyear = 2015
| cfldraftround = 5
| cfldraftpick = 43
| pastteams =
- Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2015}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|2019}})
- Denver Broncos ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- BC Lions ({{CFL Year|2024}}–present)
| status =
| highlights =
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 196
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 9.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Pass deflections
| statvalue4 = 2
| pfr = CoviCh00
}}
Christian Coral Cleveland Covington (born October 16, 1993) is a Canadian professional football defensive end for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Rice and was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions.
Early life
Covington was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and attended Vancouver College. As a senior, he contributed to the team winning the Provincial Championship, while tallying 83 tackles, 15 sacks, 6 fumble recoveries, one interception, 3 forced fumbles and 2 defensive touchdowns in 14 games.{{Cite web |title=Grover Covington's son to join Rice Owls |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/grover-covingtons-son-to-join-rice-owls |website=Vancouver Sun |accessdate=August 31, 2020}}
He received Provincial Defensive MVP, first-team All-Canadian and Academic All-Canadian honors. He finished his prep career with 276 tackles and 38 sacks.{{Cite web |last=Rick Kupchuk |title=Covington goes to Rice |url=https://www.peacearchnews.com/sports/covington-goes-to-rice/ |website=Peace Arch News |date=February 4, 2011 |accessdate=August 31, 2020}}
College career
Covington accepted a football scholarship from Rice University. As a redshirt freshman in 2011, he appeared in 12 games at defensive tackle. He had 43 tackles (8 for loss), five sacks, 20 quarterback hurries, one pass breakup and one forced fumble.
As a sophomore in 2013, he was named the starting nose tackle and received first-team All–C-USA honors. He contributed to the school winning its first football conference title in 56 years. He suffered right thumb injury and was forced to play with a cast in the last 5 contests. He recorded 14 game appearances, 59 tackles (11.5 for loss), four sacks and one blocked field goal.
As a junior in 2014, he appeared in seven games, posting with 20 tackles (3.5 tackles for loss) and 2.5 sacks. He suffered a season ending dislocated kneecap in the eighth game against Florida International University.{{Cite web |title=Rice could lose NT Covington for extended period with leg injury |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rice/article/Rice-could-lose-NT-Covington-for-extended-period-5867860.php#/0 |website=Houston Chronicle |date=November 4, 2014 |accessdate=August 31, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Rice's Christian Covington has season-ending knee surgery |url=https://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/11/rices-christian-covington-has-season-ending-knee-surgery/#26318101=0 |website=Sports Update |accessdate=August 31, 2020 |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807043232/https://blog.chron.com/sportsupdate/2014/11/rices-christian-covington-has-season-ending-knee-surgery/#26318101=0 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Likely return of Covington could boost Rice's aspirations in 2015 |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rice/article/Likely-return-of-Covington-could-boost-Rice-s-5979272.php#/0 |website=Houston Chronicle |date=December 26, 2014 |accessdate=August 31, 2020}} He had 7 tackles against Army. He made 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup against North Texas.
He opted to declare for the 2015 NFL draft after the season.{{Cite web |title=Rice DT Christian Covington will enter 2015 NFL Draft |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/rice-dt-christian-covington-will-enter-2015-nfl-draft-0ap3000000454416 |website=NFL.com |accessdate=August 31, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Canadian DT Covington will declare early for NFL Draft |url=https://www.tsn.ca/canadian-dt-covington-will-declare-early-for-nfl-draft-1.173048 |website=TSN |date=January 2, 2015 |accessdate=August 31, 2020}} He finished his college career with 33 game appearances, 119 tackles (23 for loss), 11.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 4 pass break ups and 2 blocked kicks.
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 2+3/8
| weight = 289
| dash = 4.90
| ten split = 1.68
| twenty split = 2.79
| shuttle = 4.43
| cone drill = 7.43
| vertical = 30.5
| broad ft = 9
| broad in = 3
| bench = 24
| arm span = 33+1/4
| hand span = 10
| wonderlic =
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Christian Covington Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/christian-covington/3200434f-5654-6722-4cea-eba680580832 |access-date=May 10, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=Christian Covington, Rice, DT, 2015 NFL Draft Scout |url=http://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=106442&DraftYear=2015 |access-date=May 10, 2021 |website=draftscout.com}}
}}
=Houston Texans=
Covington was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round (216th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Dougherty, Drew |date=May 2, 2015 |title="Dream come true" for Rice D-lineman |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/dream-come-true-for-rice-d-lineman-15239127 |website=HoustonTexans.com |accessdate=August 31, 2020}} He was also selected by the BC Lions in the fifth round (43rd overall) of the 2015 CFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games as backup defensive end in the team's 3-4 defense. He had 8 tackles (4 for loss) and 2 sacks.
In 2016, he appeared in 16 games with 5 starts as the left defensive end in the team's 3-4 defense. He tallied 26 tackles (2 for loss), one sack and one pass breakup. He had 5 tackles, one sack and one pass defensed in the season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
In 2017, he appeared in 7 games with 2 starts, registering 16 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. In Week 8, Covington suffered a torn bicep against the Seattle Seahawks and was ruled out the rest of the season.{{Cite web |last=Sidhu, Deepi |title=Christian Covington out for season |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/christian-covington-out-for-season-19673479 |website=HoustonTexans.com |accessdate=August 31, 2020}} He was placed on the injured reserve list on October 31. He had 3 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble against the New England Patriots.
In 2018, He started two out of 12 games, collecting 15 tackles (four for loss), 3.5 sacks and 8 quarterback pressures. He had four tackles (two for loss), 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries against the Titans.
=Dallas Cowboys=
On March 14, 2019, Covington signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.{{Cite web |last=Sidhu, Deepi |date=March 14, 2019 |title=Cowboys Agree To 1-Year Deal With DL Covington |url=https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-agree-to-1-year-deal-with-dl-covington |website=DallasCowboys.com |accessdate=August 31, 2020}} He was a backup defensive tackle in the team's 4-3 defense. He appeared in 16 games with 6 starts in place of an injured Antwaun Woods, while registering 26 tackles (4 for loss), one sack, 15 quarterback pressures and one pass breakup.
=Denver Broncos=
On April 28, 2020, Covington signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Denver Broncos.{{Cite web |last=DiLalla, Aric |date=April 28, 2020 |title=Broncos agree to terms with DL Christian Covington |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-dl-christian-covington |website=DenverBroncos.com |accessdate=August 31, 2020 |archive-date=August 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808212841/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-dl-christian-covington |url-status=dead }}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
On September 4, 2020, Covington was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, in exchange for linebacker Austin Calitro.{{Cite web |last=Alper, Josh |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Broncos trade Christian Covington to Bengals for Austin Calitro |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/09/04/broncos-trade-christian-covington-to-bengals-for-austin-calitro/ |website=Pro Football Talk |publisher=NBC Sports |accessdate=September 19, 2020}} He was expected to be the backup nose tackle behind D. J. Reader in the team's 3-4 defense. He played in all 16 games with 14 starts, finishing with a career-high 39 tackles.
=Los Angeles Chargers (first stint)=
File:Ravens vs Chargers - 51602494323 OCT2021 (cropped).jpg in 2021]]
Covington signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on May 11, 2021.{{Cite news |date=May 10, 2021 |title=Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Christian Covington |work=Chargers.com |url=https://www.chargers.com/news/christian-covington-defensive-lineman-agree-to-terms |access-date=May 11, 2021}}{{Cite web |title=2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – May |url=https://www.nfl.com/transactions/league/signings/2021/5 |access-date=May 11, 2021 |website=NFL.com}} He appeared in 16 games with 3 starts, collecting 52 tackles (3 for loss), one sack and one forced fumble.
On March 17, 2022, Covington re-signed with the Chargers.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Christian Covington|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/christian-covington-agree-terms-chargers-2022-free-agency|website=Chargers.com|date=March 17, 2022}} He was released on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-reduce-2022-roster-to-53-players|website=Chargers.com|date=August 30, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-14-to-practice-squad|website=Chargers.com|date=August 31, 2022|access-date=September 1, 2022|archive-date=September 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220901202423/https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-14-to-practice-squad|url-status=dead}} He was promoted to the active roster on September 12.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Christian Covington to Active Roster|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-christian-covington-to-active-roster|website=Chargers.com|date=September 12, 2022|access-date=September 15, 2022|archive-date=September 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912215319/https://www.chargers.com/news/chargers-sign-christian-covington-to-active-roster|url-status=dead}} He was placed on injured reserve on November 16, 2022, with a torn pectoral muscle he suffered in the Week 10 game against the San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign Tyeler Davison; Place Christian Covington and Otito Ogbonnia on Injured Reserve|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-tyeler-davison|website=Chargers.com|date=November 16, 2022}} He appeared in 4 games, making 12 tackles (one for loss).
=Detroit Lions=
On May 10, 2023, Covington signed with the Detroit Lions.{{cite web|title=Detroit Lions sign free agent DL Christian Covington|url=https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/5/10/23718733/detroit-lions-sign-free-agent-dl-christian-covington|website=SBNation.com|date=May 10, 2023}} He was released on August 26, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Bouda |first=Nate |date=2023-08-26 |title=Lions Release DL Christian Covington |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/lions-release-dl-christian-covington/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=NFLTradeRumors.co |language=en-US}}
=Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)=
On August 30, 2023, Covington was signed to the Chargers practice squad.{{cite web|title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign 12 Players to Practice Squad|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-12-players-to-practice-squad|website=Chargers.com|date=August 30, 2023}} His contract expired at the end of the season and he did not sign a reserve/future contract, thus becoming a free agent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chargers.com/news/los-angeles-chargers-sign-11-players-to-contracts-2024|website=Chargers.com|title=Los Angeles Chargers Sign 11 Players to Contracts |date=January 11, 2024}}
=BC Lions=
On May 1, 2024, it was announced that Covington had signed with the BC Lions.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Matt |date=2024-05-01 |title=Lions Land Veteran Defensive Lineman |url=https://www.bclions.com/2024/05/01/covington-comes-home-lions-land-veteran-defensive-lineman/ |access-date=2025-05-31 |website=BC Lions}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| Bold
| Career high |
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2015 | HOU
| 15 || 0 || 8 || 5 || 3 || 2.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | HOU
| 16 || 5 || 26 || 16 || 10 || 1.0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2017 | HOU
| 7 || 2 || 16 || 10 || 6 || 1.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | HOU
| 12 || 2 || 15 || 8 || 7 || 3.5 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | DAL
| 16 || 6 || 28 || 20 || 8 || 1.0 || 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2020 | CIN
| 16 || 14 || 39 || 14 || 25 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | LAC
| 16 || 3 || 52 || 30 || 22 || 1.0 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | LAC
| 4 || 0 || 12 || 3 || 9 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 102 | 32 | 196 | 106 | 90 | 9.5 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
=Playoffs=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
!rowspan="2"| Team !colspan="2"| Games !colspan="5"| Tackles !colspan="5"| Interceptions !colspan="4"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | |
| 2015 | HOU
| 1 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | HOU
| 2 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| 2018 | HOU
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Personal life
His father, Grover Covington is the Canadian Football League (CFL) all-time sacks leader (157) and is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |last=Corey Roepken |date=December 11, 2012 |title=Rice's Covington sets out to excel apart from famous father |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/rice/article/Rice-s-Covington-sets-out-to-excel-apart-from-4106800.php |website=Houston Chronicle |accessdate=September 19, 2020}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://www.bclions.com/players/christian-covington/ BC Lions bio]
- [https://riceowls.com/sports/football/roster/christian-covington/1050 Rice Owls bio]
{{BC Lions roster navbox}}
{{Texans2015DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Covington, Christian}}
Category:Canadian people of African-American descent
Category:Black Canadian players of American football
Category:Canadian players of American football
Category:Black Canadian sportsmen
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Rice Owls football players
Category:Houston Texans players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Denver Broncos players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Players of American football from British Columbia
Category:Vancouver College alumni