The Eagles offensive line allowed Carson Wentz to get sacked 8 times in a Week 1 loss to the Washington Football Team. Doug Pederson and Jason Kelce spoke after the game about what needs to change.
The Eagles really missed Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson in their Week 1 loss to Washington on Sunday, but Johnson says he’s going to play in Week 2.
Johnson was on Derrick Gunn’s “Gunn On One” podcast and was flat-out asked if he’s going to play in Week 2.
Gunn: “Can we guarantee 100 percent that Lane Johnson will be out there against the Rams on Sunday?”
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Johnson: “I’m gonna be out there, DGunn. I’m gonna be out there. So count on it.”
Well, there you have it. Johnson plans on playing against the Rams and the Eagles could certainly use him.
On Monday, head coach Doug Pederson included Johnson in a group of three players who will see their practice time ramped up this week. That group also included running back Miles Sanders and defensive end Derek Barnett.
Johnson recently had ankle surgery — a cleanout — that he said came just two weeks ago.
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In Week 1, Johnson said he was a “long shot” to play. He was listed as questionable for the game but had too much swelling in his ankle. So even though Johnson says he’ll play this coming Sunday, the state of his ankle is what will really determine that.
Johnson thinks this ankle surgery is connected to injuries he’s had the last couple seasons.
“I think the last two years, this has all kind of been leading up to this,” Johnson said. “It hadn’t really been 100 percent. I took the hit in Jacksonville and then the hit last year against the Giants. Kind of been on one leg for some time. Once I get the strength back, I’m ready to be a different player.”
When asked why it took so long to get the surgery, Johnson said he actually felt good going into training camp this summer. But then his ankle got “nicked up” in the scrimmage, which led to the surgery.
Without Johnson in the opener, the Eagles started rookie Jack Driscoll at right tackle. Johnson said he thought Driscoll and young right guard Nate Herbig did OK, all things considered.
But it would certainly be a huge boost for the Eagles to get Johnson back against the Rams.
“Going into the week, we’ve got a lot of work to do, especially me,” Johnson said. “Gotta get back practicing. I need to be practicing with my team, getting healthy. I just want to be back out there with my guys. That’s my main goal.”
