The Philadelphia Eagles are likely getting an integral member of their offense back just in time for the most important games of their season.
Right tackle Lane Johnson is expected to return to the Eagles in time for their home game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and coach Nick Sirianni expressed his enthusiasm for having the All-Pro anchor back for the first time in about two months.
Johnson hasn’t played for the Eagles since sustaining a foot injury in their 16-9 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 11. But he did manage to get three straight limited practice sessions in ahead of Philadelphia’s playoff opener and is expected to start Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Lane Johnson Practiced For The Eagles Again
The Eagles went 3-4 without Johnson playing, including their no-show, 24-17 loss to the Washington Commanders in a game where many starters rested in Week 18.
The Eagles had a hard time acclimating against playoff-caliber opposition in Johnson’s absence. Philadelphia dropped its first three games without Johnson, against the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers and only averaged 20.7 points per game and 119 rushing-yards per game in his absence.
Though he protects Hurts’ front side, Johnson is no less valuable than left tackle Jordan Mailata, especially given Johnson’s prowess. Johnson was the 18th-ranked tackle out of 80 qualifiers to Pro-Football Focus, earning a 77.4 overall grade and the 10th-best pass-blocking grade (80.4).
So Sirianni was excited to get Johnson back on the practice field Friday again and shared his exuberance for the potential for the veteran to play Sunday against San Francisco.
“Obviously Lane’s a phenomenal football player,” Sirianni said. “Anytime he’s on the field, you’re pumped about that.”
Johnson still is undoubtedly going to have an injury designation of questionable for the game Sunday. But based on his progress, and Sirianni’s perception of the 6-6, 325-pound veteran, Johnson is likely to suit up Sunday.
“He’s continuing to grind through,” Sirianni said. “He’s a warrior. He’s does everything he can possibly do to be out there with us, and it’s always to have him back on the field.”
Trent Williams Also Returned To Practice For The 49ers
The 49ers have had their own issue with an injury involving a veteran tackle.
Eagles fans might remember Trent Williams from his superstar-caliber tenure with the Washington Commanders, or from the slew of 49ers-Eagles games the clubs have played since he went to the Bay Area in 2020 — most recently the Niners’ 42-19 rout of the Eagles in Week 13 of the 2023 season.
Williams returned to practice Thursday after missing San Francisco’s Week 18 loss against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday night, which set up the Niners-Eagles matchup. If San Francisco had won that game, it would have clinched a first-round bye and the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Williams ranked third among qualifying tackles with a 91.5 grade from PFF and a 92.8 run-blocking grade. With him out, the Niners accrued just 173 total yards and 120 net passing yards against the Seahawks, and superstar running back Christian McCaffrey managed just 57 all-purpose yards in a 13-3 loss.
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