Eagles Vulnerable in Fatal Area After Loss to Jets
The Philadelphia Eagles handed away a chance to move to 6-0 against an inferior New York Jets team. While the loss itself is a wasted opportunity to gain sole possession…
The Philadelphia Eagles handed away a chance to move to 6-0 against an inferior New York Jets team. While the loss itself is a wasted opportunity to gain sole possession of the top spot in the NFC, an in-game injury to Lane Johnson is a much bigger concern for the Eagles.
Lane Johnson Injury Could Doom Eagles
It’s not always easy to identify the value a tackle brings to an offense. However, Philadelphia’s record with and without Johnson speaks for itself.
The four-time Pro Bowler is concerned about a potential left high ankle sprain. The same injury to his right ankle cost him time in 2020. The nagging nature of the injury affected his play while he was in the lineup in a brutal 4-11-1 season. The Eagles can't afford a similar situation with a star player at less than full strength in and out of the lineup if they want to compete for a Super Bowl.
Recent history isn’t short of other examples of Lane Johnson’s value. The 2016 Eagles started 3-1 before Johnson sat out 10 games during a suspension. They went 2-8 without him in the lineup and 2-0 after his return.
A weak offensive line sunk the 2012 Eagles in Andy Reid’s last season on the sidelines in Philadelphia. The Eagles began the new regime by selecting Johnson with the fourth-overall pick in the 2013 draft. He has been a key anchor to the offensive line in the 11 seasons since.
Jack Driscoll
The Eagles inserted Jack Driscoll after Johnson left the game against the Jets. While the fourth-year pro has been a solid backup during his NFL career, he struggled to handle a strong Jets rush.
Ben Solak pointed out that a game plan that involves Driscoll as a starter might include better protection schemes. Brian Johnson drew up the scheme to face New York counting on the best right tackle in football.
The first-year offensive coordinator could put Driscoll in a better situation moving forward. Tyler Steen is another option as a right tackle. However, things tend to go better with the second most valuable player on the Eagles on the field.
At 33 years old, Lane Johnson probably doesn't have much time left in the NFL. There's a legitimate possibility he could've retired if the Eagles had won Super Bowl LVII.
They better hope he returns and returns at full strength. Otherwise, they’ll have a tough time keeping one of the core units of their team together playing at a Super Bowl level.
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The Philadelphia Eagles lost their undefeated record in Week 6 of 2023 NFL season against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Their first loss of the season won't ruin their playoff chances, but their Week 7 starters will look a little different due to injuries to key players.
The defending NFC champs will face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.
Philadelphia Eagles Fall to New York Jets
The Eagles didn't put together flawless performances in the early weeks of the season. However, they entered the matchup against the Jets at 5-0.
Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions, including a costly pic to Tony Adams that set up the game-winning touchdown. Dallas Goedert and D'Andre Swift also made costly mistakes that contributed to the turnover plague.
The Philadelphia defense kept the New York offense in check, especially without key contributors like Darius Slay and Jalen Carter.
The loss of Lane Johnson early in the game stunted the offensive momentum. Jack Driscoll replaced Johnson, who will get news about a potential high ankle sprain this week.
Projected Philadelphia Eagles Week 7 Starters
The Eagles face serious injury concerns. Avonte Maddox is already out for the season, and the revolving door of reserve defensive backs has its fair share of injuries. Slay could return against the Dolphins, but the status of Reed Blankenship is now in question.
Fletcher Cox returned against the Jets after missing the Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Nakobe Dean returned to the field Sunday for the first time since suffering an injury in Week 1. Nicholas Morrow still played 55% of the defensive snaps while Dean saw 49%. Zach Cunningham played 75%, and Sean Desai will have to manage the rotation moving forward.
Injury news will also affect the Eagles Week 7 starters, as news about Johnson, Blankenship, Slay, and others will drop throughout the week.
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020
D'Andre Swift
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)
A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)
DeVonta Smith
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021
Olamide Zaccheaus
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #13
University of Virginia
5th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (April 2023)
Dallas Goedert
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesTight End, #88
South Dakota State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018
Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018
Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021
Jason Kelce
Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011
Sua Opeta
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #78
Weber State University
4th NFL Season, Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (November 2019)
Lane Johnson
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013
Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018
Fletcher Cox
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012
Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022
Milton Williams
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #93
Louisiana Tech
3rd NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (73rd Overall) in 2021
Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)
Nakobe Dean
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #17
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 3rd Round (83rd overall) in 2022
Zach Cunningham
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)
Darius Slay
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesCornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)
James Bradberry
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)
Terrell Edmunds
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty ImagesSafety, #26
Virginia Tech
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
Sydney Brown
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #21
University of Illinois
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (66th Overall) in 2023
