Philadelphia Eagles fans finally got the Lane Johnson update they’d been waiting a week for.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported that Johnson is back with the team and is expected to practice after missing the past week with an excused/non-injury designation. For an offensive line that has been dealing with its own camp issues, that’s the kind of news Philadelphia needed.
Johnson’s return matters because he remains one of the most important pieces on the offense. He has been regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL over the past decade, and last season reminded everyone why. Before a foot injury ended his year over the final eight games, he put together a dominant stretch, allowing zero sacks in 262 pass-blocking snaps for the Eagles in 2025.
With Johnson out, rookie third-round pick Markel Bell has been the main fill-in at right tackle. That has given Bell valuable reps with the starters, especially since he is viewed as Johnson’s eventual successor. Even so, reports have said the offensive line has had trouble protecting Jalen Hurts in the pocket throughout training camp, and Bell still has plenty of ground to cover before he gets anywhere near Johnson’s level.
Now the Eagles get their veteran anchor back. Johnson’s presence should bring some much-needed stability over the next few weeks, the kind of steadying force he has provided since joining the team over a decade ago.
Since arriving as Philadelphia’s first-round pick in 2013, Johnson has piled up a résumé that speaks for itself: six Pro Bowls, two first-team All-Pro selections, and three second-team All-Pro honors. He has started 168 games in his NFL career.
For an offense trying to find its footing in camp, getting Johnson back in uniform is a major lift. The Eagles’ most important player on that side of the ball after Jalen Hurts is back, and that changes the mood in a hurry.
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Jake Elliott Is Giving Eagles Fans A Reason To Worry Again
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Special teams coordinator Michael Clay has seen some encouraging signs from Elliott this offseason, pointing to better body language and more confidence after the rough stretch he went through. Even so, the lingering concern is easy to understand for Philadelphia: the Eagles need to know whether the long-distance issues are behind him, and camp has not quite answered that yet. [Read more 🡒]