The Eagles’ standout tackle, Lane Johnson, appeared to be in pain on the field. His status for the remainder of the season is now in doubt.
The Eagles may have lost to the Cowboys on Sunday, but they still have the best record in the NFL (13-2). They are in control of the NFC’s top seed but are stumbling to the finish line. ESPN reports that standout offensive lineman Lane Johnson has suffered a meniscal tear in his abdomen and will miss the remainder of the regular season due to this setback.
#Eagles Pro Bowl OT Lane Johnson suffered an abdominal injury that will knock him out the rest of the regular season (two more games), sources say. TBD after that.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2022
The MRI confirmed the severity of the damage Johnson sustained in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s defeat to Dallas. Though Philadelphia will have to play the remaining two games of the season without Johnson, there is optimism that he will be prepared to return for the playoffs.
That’s the bright side of the tale, and if the Eagles do wind up clinching the conference’s top seed, Johnson will have more time to recover. The Eagles would then have the only bye week in the NFC, giving Johnson almost a month to be healthy before starting their drive toward the Super Bowl. If the Eagles win in Week 17 and the 49ers, Vikings, or Cowboys lose, the Eagles will be the top seed in the NFC.
Eagles RT Lane Johnson is dealing with a groin/abdomen injury, per source. An MRI is expected to examine issue further.
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) December 25, 2022
After being picked fourth overall by the Eagles in 2013, the 32-year-old has become an indispensable member of the team’s offensive line. He’s been selected for the Pro Bowl four times, most recently this season. He also helped the club to win Super Bowl LII in 2017. Johnson had been an integral part of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL until his injury. He had started all 15 games he participated during 2022. Jack Driscoll came in for Johnson after he departed the game.
Both the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants will be visiting Philadelphia for the last two games of the regular season.
