​Eli Stowers’ rookie season will begin on injured reserve after the Philadelphia Eagles determined his quadriceps and hamstring injuries required more than a week-to-week recovery plan. The decision removes any uncertainty about his availability in the near future. Here are four takeaways from the move.Stowers must miss at least four games.Placement on injured reserve means Stowers will be unavailable against Washington, Kansas City, Dallas, and the Los Angeles Rams. Week 5 represents his earliest possible return, although the Eagles are not required to activate him as soon as he becomes eligible.His development will be delayed.Philadelphia selected Stowers with the No. 54 overall pick because of his athleticism and receiving potential. However, the former college quarterback remains relatively new to playing tight end. Missing practices and game repetitions will delay his adjustment to NFL blocking assignments, route details, and defensive coverages.The Eagles trust their veteran depth.Dallas Goedert will remain the centerpiece of the position, while Johnny Mundt provides experience as a blocker. E.J. Jenkins also gives Sean Mannion another developmental option. Placing Stowers on injured reserve suggests Philadelphia is comfortable moving forward without adding another tight end immediately.Philadelphia has no reason to rush him.Stowers was drafted as a long-term piece, not someone required to carry the offense in his first month. Goedert is coming off an 11-touchdown season, and the Eagles have enough established playmakers to withstand the rookie’s absence. The timing is disappointing for Stowers, who will be forced to watch the beginning of his NFL career from the sideline. Still, Philadelphia’s priority should be getting him completely healthy.The Eagles will need his athleticism later in the season more than they need a compromised version of him in September.This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eli Stowers starts rookie season on IR: 4 key takeaways for Eagles