Eagles Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson is officially inactive for today’s game in Washington.
Johnson has been dealing with an ankle injury that kept him out for most of training camp. He reportedly had surgery on his ankle — a cleanout — last month.
After already losing Andre Dillard (biceps) and Brandon Brooks (Achilles) before the season even began, the Eagles are now down three starting offensive linemen.
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Without Johnson, the Eagles don’t have many great options. They could simply put Jack Driscoll or Jordan Mailata at right tackle. Or they could move Pryor to right tackle and insert Nate Herbig into the lineup at right guard.
According to ESPN, the Eagles will simply plug the rookie in at right tackle. And according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Nate Herbig will be at right guard. That means Matt Pryor will be on the bench.
That creates an OL that looks like this:
LT: Jason Peters
NFL
LG: Isaac Seumalo
C: Jason Kelce
RG: Nate Herbig
RT: Jack Driscoll
Four Eagles were ruled out before Sunday morning and then Johnson is the fifth injured player. Here are the Eagles’ inactive players:
- Miles Sanders (hamstring)
- Derek Barnett (hamstring)
- Javon Hargrave (pectoral, hamstring)
- Alshon Jeffery (foot)
- Lane Johnson (ankle)
- Jalen Hurts
- Casey Toohill
Without Johnson, the Eagles also have minimal depth on their offensive line. Their backups today will likely be Jordan Mailata, Matt Pryor and Sua Opeta.
There are new rules for the number of active players on game days. In previous years, teams were allowed just 46 active players for games. This year, that number is up to 48 as long as eight offensive linemen are active and it’s 47 for teams with fewer than eight OL active.
Without Sanders on Sunday the Eagles have just three active running backs: Boston Scott, Corey Clement and Jason Huntley. And Clement dealt with a quad injury during the week that forced him to be a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Expect Scott to start.
Without Barnett, Vinny Curry and Josh Sweat will each see more playing time in Week 1.
Offensive lineman Sua Opeta and defensive tackle T.Y. McGill are both active after getting activated from the practice squad before Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
With Hurts inactive, it means the Eagles have just two quarterbacks — Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld — active for this game. Those hopes about a package or two for Hurts will have to wait.