The Eagles head into their Monday Night Football matchup against the Chargers with a mostly clean bill of health - but they’ll be without two key starters in the trenches.
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) and right tackle Lane Johnson (foot) have officially been ruled out after missing the entire week of practice. That’s a significant blow on both sides of the line.
Carter’s disruption up front has been a game-changer for Philly’s defense, while Johnson continues to be one of the league’s premier right tackles when healthy. Without them, the Eagles will need to lean on their depth - and fast - against a Chargers team that’s still fighting to stay in the playoff mix.
Beyond those two, the rest of the Eagles’ 53-man roster is good to go. That includes several players who had been limited earlier in the week but are now full participants and cleared for action.
Game Statuses for the Eagles:
- Out: DT Jalen Carter (shoulders), RT Lane Johnson (foot)
- Questionable: S Marcus Epps (shoulder), OT Myles Hinton (back)
Both Epps and Hinton remain on injured reserve for now, but there’s been encouraging progress. They’ve been practicing after their 21-day windows were opened, and signs point to Epps being activated in time for the game - possibly even stepping back into a starting role. His return would bring a veteran presence to the back end of the defense, especially helpful against a Chargers offense that can still stretch the field when healthy.
As for Hinton, his window expires next week. The Eagles will have to make a decision: activate him or shut him down for the season. That makes this week’s practices critical for the young tackle’s 2025 campaign.
Meanwhile, three other Eagles who were limited earlier in the week - edge rusher Jaelan Phillips (concussion), linebacker Zack Baun (hand), and wide receiver Jahan Dotson (toe) - all practiced fully on Friday. Phillips has cleared the concussion protocol and is set to play, which is a big lift for the Eagles’ pass rush. His ability to set the edge and generate pressure could be crucial against either quarterback the Chargers roll out.
And speaking of quarterbacks, Chargers starter Justin Herbert is officially listed as questionable with an injury to his non-throwing hand. He underwent surgery on that left hand earlier in the week, but reports out of Los Angeles suggest he’s trending toward playing. Still, the Eagles are preparing for both Herbert and backup Trey Lance - a smart move by head coach Nick Sirianni, who knows how quickly game plans can change depending on who’s under center.
Here’s a look at the Chargers’ latest injury report:
Chargers Game Statuses:
- Out: TE Tucker Fisk
- Questionable: QB Justin Herbert (non-throwing hand), RB Omarion Hampton, RB Hassan Haskins, DL Otito Ogbonnia
The Herbert situation looms large. Even with the injury to his non-throwing hand, any limitation in ball-handling or mobility could affect the Chargers’ offensive rhythm. If he can’t go, it’ll be Trey Lance’s show - and that brings a different dynamic entirely, especially with his mobility and improvisational style.
Back in Philadelphia, Landon Dickerson returned to practice Saturday after getting a rest day on Friday. The 27-year-old guard has been a warrior this season, battling through multiple injuries but still managing to start 11 of 12 games. Sirianni had high praise for Dickerson’s toughness and impact.
“I think he's done a really nice job,” Sirianni said. “Landon's so powerful - being able to move people off the spot.
He’s critical for our offense, helping identify defenses and making adjustments. He’s had a lot of good moments this season and played good football.”
That kind of stability on the interior is going to be even more important with Johnson out. The offensive line will need to be sharp to protect Jalen Hurts and keep the run game viable, especially against a Chargers front that can bring pressure.
Bottom line: The Eagles are relatively healthy heading into a primetime matchup that could have major playoff implications down the stretch. But with Carter and Johnson sidelined and Herbert’s status up in the air, both teams will need to adapt - and quickly.