Christian Covington

Not to be confused with Chris Covington.

Christian Covington

Covington with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022
No. 96 – BC Lions
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1993-10-16) October 16, 1993 (age 30) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	305 lb (138 kg)
Career information
High school:	Vancouver (BC) College Prep
College:	Rice
NFL draft:	2015  / Round: 6 / Pick: 216
CFL Draft:	2015  / Round: 5 / Pick: 43
Career history
Houston Texans (2015–2018) Dallas Cowboys (2019) Denver Broncos (2020)* Cincinnati Bengals (2020) Los Angeles Chargers (2021–2022) Detroit Lions (2023)* Los Angeles Chargers (2023)* BC Lions (2024–present)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-C-USA (2013)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 196 Sacks: 9.5 Forced fumbles: 2 Pass deflections: 2
Player stats at PFR

Christian Coral Cleveland Covington (born October 16, 1993) is a Canadian professional gridiron 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 years

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. ^[1]

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. ^[2]

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. ^{[3] [4] [5]} 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. ^{[6] [7]} 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

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in (1.89 m)	289 lb (131 kg)	33+1⁄4 in (0.84 m)	10 in (0.25 m)	4.90 s	1.68 s	2.79 s	4.43 s	7.43 s	30.5 in (0.77 m)	9 ft 3 in (2.82 m)	24 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [8] [9]

Houston Texans

Covington with the Houston Texans in 2016

Covington was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round (216th overall) of the 2015 NFL draft. ^[10] 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. ^[11] 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. ^[12] 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 registered 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. ^[13]

Cincinnati Bengals

On September 4, 2020, Covington was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, in exchange for linebacker Austin Calitro. ^[14] 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)

Covington (#95) playing against the Baltimore Ravens in 2021

Covington signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on May 11, 2021. ^{[15] [16]} He played in 16 games with three starts, recording a career-high 52 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack.

On March 17, 2022, Covington re-signed with the Chargers. ^[17] He was released on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day. ^{[18] [19]} He was promoted to the active roster on September 12. ^[20] He was placed on injured reserve on November 16, 2022, with a torn pectoral muscle. ^[21]

Detroit Lions

On May 10, 2023, Covington signed with the Detroit Lions. ^[22] He was released on August 26, 2023. ^[23]

Los Angeles Chargers (second stint)

On August 30, 2023, Covington was signed to the Chargers practice squad. ^[24] His contract expired at the end of the season and he did not sign a reserve/future contract, thus becoming a free agent. ^[25]

BC Lions

On May 1, 2024, it was announced that Covington had signed with the BC Lions. ^[26]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold	Career high

Regular season

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					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
		102	32	196	106	90	9.5	19	0	0	0	0	2	2	0	0	0

Playoffs

Year	Team	Games		Tackles					Interceptions					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
		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. ^[27]

References

1. "Grover Covington's son to join Rice Owls". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
2. Rick Kupchuk (February 4, 2011). "Covington goes to Rice". Peace Arch News. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
3. "Rice could lose NT Covington for extended period with leg injury". Houston Chronicle. November 4, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
4. "Rice's Christian Covington has season-ending knee surgery". Sports Update. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
5. "Likely return of Covington could boost Rice's aspirations in 2015". Houston Chronicle. December 26, 2014. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
6. "Rice DT Christian Covington will enter 2015 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
7. "Canadian DT Covington will declare early for NFL Draft". TSN. January 2, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
8. "Christian Covington Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
9. "Christian Covington, Rice, DT, 2015 NFL Draft Scout". draftscout.com. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
10. Dougherty, Drew (May 2, 2015). ""Dream come true" for Rice D-lineman". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
11. Sidhu, Deepi. "Christian Covington out for season". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
12. Sidhu, Deepi (March 14, 2019). "Cowboys Agree To 1-Year Deal With DL Covington". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
13. DiLalla, Aric (April 28, 2020). "Broncos agree to terms with DL Christian Covington". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
14. Alper, Josh (September 4, 2020). "Broncos trade Christian Covington to Bengals for Austin Calitro". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
15. "Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Christian Covington". Chargers.com. May 10, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
16. "2021 NFL Transactions: Signings – May". NFL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
17. "Los Angeles Chargers Agree to Terms with Christian Covington". Chargers.com. March 17, 2022.
18. "Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players". Chargers.com. August 30, 2022.
19. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign 14 Players to Practice Squad". Chargers.com. August 31, 2022. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
20. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Christian Covington to Active Roster". Chargers.com. September 12, 2022. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
21. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Tyeler Davison; Place Christian Covington and Otito Ogbonnia on Injured Reserve". Chargers.com. November 16, 2022.
22. "Detroit Lions sign free agent DL Christian Covington". SBNation.com. May 10, 2023.
23. Bouda, Nate (August 26, 2023). "Lions Release DL Christian Covington". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
24. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign 12 Players to Practice Squad". Chargers.com. August 30, 2023.
25. "Los Angeles Chargers Sign 11 Players to Contracts". Chargers.com. January 11, 2024.
26. "Covington comes home | Lions land veteran defensive lineman". May 1, 2024.
27. Corey Roepken (December 11, 2012). "Rice's Covington sets out to excel apart from famous father". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 19, 2020.

External links

• BC Lions bio
• Rice Owls bio