The Philadelphia Eagles are eyeing their third straight win as they head north to take on the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. But they'll be doing it without two key pieces on either side of the ball - linebacker Nakobe Dean and All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson have both been ruled out for the Week 17 clash.
Dean, who went down with a hamstring injury during last week’s win over Washington, will be replaced by rookie Jihaad Campbell. It’s a big spot for the young linebacker, who’ll be stepping into the heart of a defense that’s been grinding through injuries all season. Campbell’s shown flashes in limited action, but this will be his biggest test yet - on the road, in a cold-weather game, against a Bills offense that can get hot in a hurry.
On the offensive line, Fred Johnson will continue to fill in for Lane Johnson, who remains sidelined with a lingering foot issue. Lane’s absence is always significant - he’s been one of the league’s most consistent and dominant tackles for years. But Fred has held his own when called upon, and the Eagles will be counting on him to keep Jalen Hurts upright against a Buffalo front that loves to bring pressure.
Neither Dean nor Lane has a clear timetable to return, and with the playoffs looming, the Eagles may opt to keep both out until the Wild Card Round. That decision could be even more likely if Philadelphia chooses to rest starters in Week 18 - a real possibility depending on how the NFC standings shake out after this weekend.
But don’t expect the Eagles to take their foot off the gas just yet. Despite already clinching the NFC East, head coach Nick Sirianni shut down any talk of resting starters against Buffalo.
“You go through a lot of different processes, and you do what you think is best for your football team,” Sirianni said. “We think playing our guys is best for the football team.”
So while Dean and Lane won’t suit up in Orchard Park, the rest of the Eagles’ starting unit is expected to be in action. That includes Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and the rest of the offensive playmakers, as well as a defense that’s still finding its rhythm heading into January.
This game matters - not just for seeding, but for momentum. And even without two of their key veterans, the Eagles are treating it like a playoff tune-up.