PHILADELPHIA – In a devastating blow to the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line, the team has officially ruled out All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson for Sunday’s crucial matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. This catastrophic update comes just days before the game, leaving the 8-2 Eagles without one of their most dominant forces on the field—a player widely regarded as a future Hall of Famer and a cornerstone of their success.
Johnson, who has been sidelined with a Lisfranc injury to his foot sustained during last week’s 16-9 victory over the Detroit Lions, is expected to miss at least four to six weeks. His absence couldn’t come at a worse time, as the Eagles aim to complete a season sweep of the 4-5-1 Cowboys and potentially clinch the NFC East before Thanksgiving. Historically, Philadelphia has struggled without Johnson, posting a dismal 12-23 record in games he’s missed throughout his illustrious career. Head coach Nick Sirianni has repeatedly praised him as one of the best players in the NFL, and his void will be felt against Dallas’s formidable defense.
Stepping into the spotlight will be backup Fred Johnson, who is set to start in place of the injured star. Despite the challenge, there’s optimism in the locker room. Star running back Saquon Barkley expressed strong confidence in his teammate, saying, “We’ve got so much trust in Fred. I’m so happy Fred is back here… He’s a starter in this league, in my opinion. I’m excited for him to go show that to the Eagles and all 31 other teams. … I’m excited for him to show everyone what he’s about and he gets what he deserves.”
The injury woes don’t stop there for the Eagles’ offensive line. Three other linemen are listed as questionable heading into the game: starting center Cam Jurgens, who is navigating the NFL’s concussion protocol, and rookies Myles Hinton (back) and Willie Lampkin (knee/ankle), both currently on injured reserve but in their 21-day practice windows.
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Jurgens, a 2024 Pro Bowl selection, has shown positive progress, practicing for the second straight day on Friday and even taking first-team reps in individual drills on Thursday. If he’s cleared, he’ll anchor the center position; otherwise, veteran backup Brett Toth will step in.
Hinton and Lampkin were full participants in Friday’s practice and appear physically ready, but the Eagles must activate them off IR by Saturday at 4:00 ET to make them eligible. With Lane Johnson’s extended absence, activating Hinton—a sixth-round pick from Michigan and a natural tackle—seems like a logical move to bolster depth. Lampkin, acquired via waivers from the Los Angeles Rams, provides interior versatility, but the team has until November 27 to decide on his status or risk leaving him on IR for the season.
On a brighter note, recently acquired edge defender Jaelan Phillips, who started the week limited due to a shoulder issue, practiced fully on Thursday and Friday. With no game status designation, he’s cleared to play and could be a key factor against the Cowboys’ top-ranked passing offense.
This injury-riddled update casts a shadow over what could be a defining game for the Eagles’ season. Without their most dominant All-Pro player, Philadelphia will need to rally around their depth and resilience to maintain their NFC East dominance. Fans will be watching closely as Fred Johnson gets his big opportunity to prove he belongs among the league’s starters.