Offensive tackle Lane Johnson out for Eagles vs. Rams, team cites personal matter
Rookie Markel Bell is expected to start at right tackle in place of Johnson.
Lane Johnson is inactive Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams due to a personal matter, the Eagles announced 90 minutes before kickoff.
Johnson, the 36-year-old right tackle, popped up as questionable to play two hours before the start of the game. He had practiced in full this week.
During training camp, he missed four practices, also due to a personal matter. After he returned from his hiatus, he said that this season — his 14th with the Eagles — was “probably” going to be his last. He mentioned his children and his aging parents as factors in his potential decision.
Johnson missed three games during the 2021 season due to a personal matter. In the aftermath of his absence, he said that he had been dealing with depression and anxiety.
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The two-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowl right tackle has been physically healthy after playing just 10 games last season. He was sidelined for the latter portion of the season due to a Lisfranc foot injury.
With Johnson unable to play, Markel Bell, the third-round rookie out of Miami, is expected to start at right tackle. Fred Johnson, who has been the backup swing tackle in years past, was ruled out for a second straight game on Friday with a knee injury.
Aside from Bell and left tackle Jordan Mailata, the Eagles do not have another player listed at tackle on the game day roster. Tyler Steen, who played tackle for five years in college at Vanderbilt and Alabama, could potentially move to tackle if either of the starters got injured, with either Willie Lampkin or Micah Morris slotting in at guard.
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The Eagles were already going into Sunday’s game down several key players, including DeVonta Smith (hamstring), Zack Baun (concussion), and Marcus Epps (groin). Hollywood Brown (ankle) and Dallas Goedert (knee) were ruled out for a second consecutive week.
The team is carrying just 47 players on the game day roster, when they could carry 48 (eight must be offensive linemen; the Eagles have seven healthy on the active roster) and designate an emergency third quarterback among the inactives. The Eagles’ top three quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton are all active, while Cole Payton is inactive.
