Eagles Set to Get Major Boost as Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter Eye Week 17 Return
The Philadelphia Eagles are getting healthier at just the right time. According to reports, two of their biggest stars in the trenches - right tackle Lane Johnson and interior defensive lineman Jalen Carter - are trending toward returning to action in Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills. And for a team still jockeying for playoff seeding, that’s massive.
Lane Johnson: The Anchor Returns
Lane Johnson has been the heartbeat of the Eagles’ offensive line for years, and his absence over the last five games has been felt - both in the win column and in the trenches. He went down with a Lisfranc injury in the Eagles’ Week 11 win over Detroit, and since then, Philly has gone just 2-3. Fred Johnson stepped in and held his own, but let’s be clear: there’s only one Lane Johnson.
What’s interesting is that the Eagles never placed Johnson on injured reserve, signaling early optimism about a quicker return. That didn’t pan out - he missed five straight games and didn’t practice leading up to the team’s Week 16 win over Washington.
Still, there was a glimmer of hope when he suited up for warmups before kickoff. Now, with Week 17 on deck, he’s trending toward a return.
Johnson’s presence does more than just shore up the right side of the line. It gives Jalen Hurts more time, steadies the run game, and brings a level of confidence that only a veteran All-Pro can provide. If he’s back and close to 100%, it’s a huge lift for an offense that’s had its share of ups and downs lately.
Jalen Carter: A Chance to Reignite
On the defensive side, Jalen Carter’s return could be just as impactful - if not more. After undergoing a procedure on both shoulders following a rough outing in Week 13 against Chicago, Carter missed three games. And while his 2025 campaign hasn’t lived up to the sky-high expectations he set last year, the potential for a late-season resurgence is very real.
Let’s not forget what Carter did in 2024. He was a one-man wrecking crew.
Despite being double-teamed on nearly every snap, he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors, played more snaps than any interior defensive lineman in the league, and made two of the biggest plays of the postseason in the Divisional Round against the Rams. His ability to collapse the pocket and command attention helped the Eagles' defense dominate, especially in the Super Bowl, where his presence allowed others to feast in one-on-one matchups against Kansas City’s offensive line.
This season, though, has been a different story. Conditioning concerns that were put to rest last year have been replaced by questions about overuse and recovery.
A shoulder injury kept him out of most of training camp, and his season got off to a rocky start when he was ejected from Week 1 for spitting on Dak Prescott before even taking a snap. Since then, the production hasn’t matched the talent: 20 tackles, 2 sacks, and no forced fumbles through 15 games.
But the Eagles haven’t crumbled without him. In fact, the rest of the defensive line has stepped up in a big way.
Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Byron Young, and Brandon Graham have combined for 39 tackles, 8 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits during Carter’s three-game absence. That kind of depth is a luxury - and if Carter can return to form, it turns a strong unit into a potentially dominant one.
To Play or Not to Play?
With the playoffs around the corner, the big question becomes: should Johnson and Carter even suit up for these final two regular-season games?
Right now, the Eagles are most likely headed for the NFC’s No. 3 seed, but there’s still a realistic shot at climbing to No. 2 - and a longshot path to No. 1.
The difference between the 2 and 3 seed is significant. The 2 seed guarantees at least two home playoff games if you keep winning.
The 3 seed? Just one, and then you’re likely hitting the road.
According to Inpredictable, Philly has an 18% chance of grabbing that 2 seed. So the decision isn’t black and white.
If Week 17 goes their way and the 2 seed is still in play, you’d expect the Eagles to push their starters, including Johnson and Carter, to get every edge possible. But if they’re locked into the 3 seed heading into Week 18, it might be smarter to ease off the gas and prioritize health.
That’s where Week 17 becomes a sweet spot. If both Johnson and Carter are cleared and ready, it gives them a chance to shake off the rust in a high-stakes environment - without overextending them before the postseason grind begins. It’s about rhythm, timing, and confidence, especially for two players who thrive on physicality and timing.
Bottom Line
The Eagles are getting healthier, and that’s bad news for the rest of the NFC. Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter aren’t just starters - they’re tone-setters. They bring experience, edge, and elite-level play when they’re on the field.
If they’re both back in Week 17, the Eagles get a chance to reestablish dominance in the trenches on both sides of the ball. And if they can recapture even a fraction of their 2024 form, this team becomes a much tougher out in January.
The playoffs are coming. And the Eagles might just be getting their swagger back at the perfect time.