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 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.
Eagles Record in Regular Season Since 2016:
— Colin Newby (@ToNewbyginnings) October 15, 2023
When Lane Johnson Starts 60-27-1
When Lane Johnson Doesn't Start 10-21
Playoffs: 6-4 wit, 0-1 witout
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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Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 7 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Olamide Zaccheaus
Wide Receiver, #13
University of Virginia
5th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (April 2023)Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Sua Opeta
Right Guard, #78
Weber State University
4th NFL Season, Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (November 2019)Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Milton Williams
Defensive Tackle, #93
Louisiana Tech
3rd NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (73rd Overall) in 2021Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nakobe Dean
Linebacker, #17
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 3rd Round (83rd overall) in 2022Zach Cunningham
Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Terrell Edmunds
Safety, #26
Virginia Tech
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Sydney Brown
Safety, #21
University of Illinois
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 3rd Round (66th Overall) in 2023
