Christian Covington

Christian Coral Cleveland Covington (born October 16, 1993) is a Canadian professional American football defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Rice.

Not to be confused with Chris Covington.

Christian Covington
No. 99 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1993-10-16) October 16, 1993
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:300 lb (136 kg)
Career information
High school:Vancouver (BC) College Prep
College:Rice
NFL Draft:2015 / Round: 6 / Pick: 216
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2020
Total tackles:132
Sacks:8.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:0
Pass deflections:2
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

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 7 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

Houston Texans

Covington was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round (216th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.[8] 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.[9] 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 2 out of 12 games, collecting 15 tackles (4 for loss), 3.5 sacks and 8 quarterback pressures. He had 4 tackles (2 for loss), 2.5 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries against the Tennessee Titans.

Dallas Cowboys

On March 14, 2019, Covington signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.[10] He was a backup defensive tackle in the team's 4-3 defense. He registered 28 tackles (4 for loss), one sack and 3 quarterback hurries.

Denver Broncos

On April 28, 2020, Covington signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Denver Broncos.[11]

Cincinnati Bengals

On September 4, 2020, Covington was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals, in exchange for linebacker Austin Calitro.[12] He was expected to be the backup nose tackle behind D. J. Reader in the team's 3-4 defense.

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.[13]

References
  1. "Grover Covington's son to join Rice Owls". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. Rick Kupchuk. "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. 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. 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. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  8. Dougherty, Drew (May 2, 2015). ""Dream come true" for Rice D-lineman". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  9. Sidhu, Deepi. "Christian Covington out for season". HoustonTexans.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  10. Sidhu, Deepi (March 14, 2019). "Cowboys Agree To 1-Year Deal With DL Covington". DallasCowboys.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  11. DiLalla, Aric (April 28, 2020). "Broncos agree to terms with DL Christian Covington". DenverBroncos.com. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  12. Alper, Josh (September 4, 2020). "Broncos trade Christian Covington to Bengals for Austin Calitro". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  13. Corey Roepken (December 11, 2012). "Rice's Covington sets out to excel apart from famous father". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
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