The Philadelphia Eagles watched one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen walk off the field and not return when right offensive tackle Lane Johnson left a Week 11 game against the Detroit Lions with what appeared to be an unspecified lower body injury.
Then, they watched another of the NFL’s best offensive linemen leave and not return with center Cam Jurgens, who had missed the last 2 games.
Regardless, the Eagles still slugged it out against the Lions on the way to an ugly, 16-9 win to improve to 8-2. Injuries to Johnson and Jurgens took some of the enjoyment away from the victory, as it’s hard to see the Eagles repeating as Super Bowl champions without either one of those players.
“Lane Johnson with a slow walk to the Eagles’ locker room,” The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo wrote on his official X account. “He’s battled a few ailments this season ….
Brett Toth came in to replace Jurgens. Fred Johnson came in to replace Lane Johnson.
It’s underlined bigger injury issues the Eagles have dealt with all season on the offensive line when it comes to their 5 projected starters.
“Here’s an underrated Eagles storyline that could explain Philadelphia’s offensive struggles: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen and Lane Johnson have played every offensive snap in just ONE game this season,” Philly Special’s Anthony DiBona wrote on his official X Account.
Johnson Could Be Nearing End of Career
Johnson, to be fair, is 35 years old and a 2-time Super Bowl champion in his 13th NFL season. He’s also playing on a 1-year, $25 million contract — a sign his career might be coming to an end soon.
“It feels like Lane Johnson might be getting to the point of his career that Jason Peters was at the end, where he’s still really good when he’s on the field, but injuries pull him off relatively frequently,” Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly wrote on X.
“Lane Johnson is a first ballot HOF and one of the best Eagles of all time,” Eagles fan Patrick Philly PMC wrote on his official X account. “But Father Time is undefeated. The Eagles need to find his replacement.”
Less than one week earlier, Johnson left a Monday Night Football win over the Green Bay Packers with an ankle injury and returned to the game.
“Nick Sirianni and Eagles players said Lane Johnson coming back in and battling through his ankle injury is inspiring and lifts everyone,” NBC Sports Philadelphia’s John Clark wrote on his official X account on November 11. “They say it makes everyone stronger seeing that.”
Jurgens Struggled Before Leaving Game With Injury
Before Jurgens got hurt — another undisclosed injury — he appeared to be struggling to shake off the rust from missing the previous 2 games.
Jurgens signed a 4-year, $68 million contract extension in April but also underwent offseason back surgery after the Eagles’ win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in February.
“Cam Jurgens is struggling in his return so far,” Birds 365 host John McMullen wrote on his official X account.
“Every game is getting a little better,” Jurgens told The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane about his back surgery in October. “But it’s football. You go out there, don’t matter if you’re 100 (percent) or 60. Your play is your play.”
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