The Philadelphia Eagles are getting some serious reinforcements at just the right time. As they gear up for a playoff push and look to defend their NFC crown, two key All-Pros - Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter - are expected to return for Sunday’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. That’s big news, but it also raises an important question: how do the Eagles manage two elite talents coming off injuries without compromising their long-term availability?
Let’s start with Johnson. The 35-year-old right tackle is a cornerstone of this offensive line and a future Hall of Famer for a reason.
He’s missed five games due to a Lisfranc sprain in his foot - an injury that’s tricky for anyone, let alone a lineman who relies on explosiveness and leverage. Johnson hasn’t played since Week 11 against Detroit, and while Fred Johnson has held his own in relief, there’s no replacing Lane’s combination of power, technique, and veteran savvy.
Getting him back is a massive boost for Jalen Hurts and the offense, especially with the postseason looming. But the Eagles have to be smart. The last thing they want is to rush him back and risk a setback that could sideline him when it matters most.
Then there’s Jalen Carter. The 2024 All-Pro hasn’t seen the field since the Black Friday loss to the Bears, and even in that game, he didn’t look like himself.
Carter underwent a nonsurgical procedure on both shoulders, which has kept him out for three straight games. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster season for the 24-year-old - not quite the dominant follow-up many expected after he led all interior defensive linemen in snaps last year.
That heavy workload may be catching up to him.
Still, a healthy Carter is a game-changer. Pairing him with Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and a defensive front that’s already been getting after quarterbacks without him?
That’s a scary sight for any offense. But again, the Eagles have to walk a fine line here.
Carter’s upside is enormous, but only if he’s truly ready to go.
That brings us to the bigger picture: playoff seeding. Right now, the Eagles are most likely headed for the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
There’s a real - albeit narrow - path to the No. 2 seed, which would guarantee at least two home playoff games and possibly a third if the NFC Championship Game comes through Philly. That’s a huge incentive.
To get there, though, the Eagles need to win out - starting with Sunday’s game against Buffalo - and hope the Chicago Bears lose out. That’s not entirely in their control, but it’s not out of the realm of possibility either.
On the flip side, there’s a scenario where things could slip to the No. 4 seed. If the Eagles lose to the Bills, and the Panthers beat the Seahawks in Week 17, then a loss to Washington in Week 18, paired with another Panthers win over the Bucs, would drop Philly down a rung. That would mean potentially playing on the road in the Divisional Round - not ideal.
So, the Eagles are juggling a lot right now: playoff positioning, player health, and momentum heading into January. And head coach Nick Sirianni knows there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing injuries and returns.
“Every guy’s a little different. Every scenario’s a little different,” Sirianni said Monday.
“Last year we had rested guys. But Dallas Goedert was just coming back in that last game against the Giants.
He came back in, got him some early touches, and that was good for him. Every situation is a little different.
Every injury is a little bit different. Every guy is a little bit different.
Always trying to do what’s best for the guy and their health, first and foremost.”
It’s a smart approach. The Eagles aren’t just trying to win the next game - they’re trying to be at full strength for the ones that really count.
That means being strategic with how much Johnson and Carter play over the next two weeks. The goal is to get them back in rhythm without overexposing them to further injury.
If Philly can strike that balance - keeping their stars healthy while still pushing for the best possible seed - they’ll be in a strong position to make another deep postseason run. And with Lane Johnson anchoring the line and Jalen Carter wreaking havoc up front, this team could be peaking at just the right time.