December 28, 2022   3 MIN READ

Torn Tendon Won’t Stop Johnson

Sirianni: Pro Bowl RT Johnson Plans To Play Through Injury

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Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson is planning to play through a torn tendon in his groin when the postseason begins.

On Wednesday morning, Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher reported in the Inside The Birds podcast that Johnson had suffered a torn tendon in his groin during the Eagles’ 40-34 loss to the Cowboys on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

Lane Johnson

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles HC Nick Sirianni confirmed Lane Johnson will delay surgery to rehab his torn tendon with plans to play in the postseason.

Wednesday afternoon, head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed in his press conference that Johnson tore his adductor tendon, which connects the groin to the inner thigh, and will rehab for the final two weeks of the regular season in hopes of being able to play in the playoffs.

Sirianni added that Johnson “is one of the toughest guys we’ve been around.”

The Eagles (13-2) need just one win in the final two games to clinch the NFC East and top seed in the NFC, which would give them a first-round bye and an extra week of rehab for Johnson, who was just named to his fourth Pro Bowl.

There are other scenarios involving other teams that could lead to the Eagles clinching. The Eagles are home Sunday to face the Saints for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Sirianni was less forthcoming on quarterback Jalen Hurts, who missed the Cowboys game after suffering a shoulder sprain in Week 15 against the Bears. Sirianni didn’t rule out Hurts against the Saints even though sources have told ITB that it’s unlikely the Pro Bowl quarterback will be ready to play by then.

“Does he have a chance? Of course he does…,” Sirianni said, adding the team would see how Hurts progresses this week.

The Eagles are also expecting to be without Avonte Maddox, who’s out indefinitely with a toe injury that involves a fracture and tendon damage.

Considered the best right tackle in the game and one of the sport’s best overall offensive tackles, Johnson will eventually need surgery to repair his injury. The procedure can require at least one month and possibly longer from which to recover.

Johnson will probably be limited when he plays in the postseason and there’s no guarantee he will be able to make it through an entire game.

Sirianni wouldn’t say if the team’s plans for the next two games are to play backup right tackle Jack Driscoll in Johnson’s place or to move left tackle Jordan Mailata over to the right side and replace Mailata with backup left tackle Andre Dillard, a 2019 first-round pick.

“Lane is the best tackle in the NFL,” he said. “Obviously when you’re missing one of your best players on the team, that’s going to affect you.”

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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