The Las Vegas Raiders will be playing the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15 without two key players for the reigning Super Bowl champions. Throughout the week, Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter didn’t practice, so it’s no surprise the Eagles did what they did.
On December 12, the Eagles announced that Johnson and Carter are out for the game against Las Vegas. Johnson’s foot injury will keep him out of the contest, while Carter’s shoulder issue will prevent him from playing against the Silver and Black.
Nonetheless, there’s slightly good news for the Eagles in this final injury report as backup right tackle Freddie Johnson was a full participant in the practice session for December 12 after appearing as a limited participant during December 11’s session due to an ankle injury.
Despite the concerns over the right tackle situation, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wasn’t one of them. Moreover, on December 12, he stated that he is content with the position, even though they are facing one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, Maxx Crosby.
“We feel good about everybody that we have,” Sirianni said (h/t Pro Football Talk). “That’s why they’re here. Feel good about our depth that we have. Feel good about the guys that we have. You’ll see the injury report a little bit later today.”
It will be interesting to see if the backup tackle can do his job despite the ankle issue and contain Crosby or else it could be a long afternoon for Jalen Hurts.
Eagles Are Worried About Raiders’ Maxx Crosby
Philadelphia will need its backup right tackle ready to go as they will be facing Crosby. It will be interesting to see if Johnson’s ankle issue allows him to play to contain the Raiders star, or if he’ll need help. Nonetheless, on December 12, Sirianni spoke to the media about facing Crosby.
“You got to know where he is at all times,“ Sirianni told reporters about facing Crosby with his current situation at right tackle. “You’re always going to have to know where good players are and have a plan for them with different things that you do.
“Obviously, just like you have plans for things in your notes and things you’ve been through in your past for rain, snow, whatever, that’s the same deal with good players.
“He is a phenomenal football player. We’ve thought about him quite a bit this week, and that’s our job as coaches and as players to make sure that guys like that are accounted for and we have a plan for him.
What Makes Raiders’ Maxx Crosby Stand Out
Sirianni also elaborated on what sets Crosby apart as a player. He pointed out specific traits that could give the backup right tackle plenty of trouble in this matchup.
“One thing is his motor is always running,“ Sirianni added. “He is relentless to the football, never stopping. I always say to our team there’s something dangerous about a team that doesn’t stop coming after you, and that’s how he is. That’s how good defensive ends are. He can rush the passer, stop the run, he’s physical, fast, quick, and athletic. He’s an outstanding football player.”
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