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The Philadelphia Eagles will head into their Wild Card meeting with the San Francisco 49ers without a cornerstone of their offensive line. Right tackle Lane Johnson, sidelined for weeks by a persistent foot injury, has been ruled out for the playoff opener.
Official ruling and reporting: Johnson won’t play in Wild Card
Team sources confirmed Lane Johnson’s absence ahead of kickoff. ESPN’s Adam Schefter listed him among the official inactives.
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Johnson had been labeled questionable during the week. He returned to limited practice, but the Eagles decided to keep him off the game day roster.
Practice progress and the final warmup check
Johnson had not played since Week 11 and missed the last seven regular-season games. Still, he practiced in a limited fashion the three days before the game.
Observers hoped those sessions signaled a late comeback. However, Johnson did not take part in pregame warmups at Levi’s Stadium. NBC Sports’ John Clark noted there was no sign of him on the field.
Who steps in at right tackle
With Johnson out, the Eagles will rely on Fred Johnson to handle right tackle duties. This will be his first career playoff start.
- Fred Johnson: seven-year NFL veteran.
- Regular-season action: eight starts, including the last seven games.
The projected starting front five for Philadelphia is:
- Landon Dickerson — center
- Cam Jurgens — guard
- Jordan Mailata — tackle
- Tyler Steen — guard/tackle
- Fred Johnson — starting at right tackle
Other roster notes: injuries and absences
The Eagles also listed backup center Brett Toth as out. He is recovering from a concussion and will not dress for the game.
These changes reduce the team’s depth on the interior and at tackle during a critical playoff matchup.
How Johnson’s absence affects the Eagles’ protection
Johnson is widely regarded as Philadelphia’s best pass protector. His absence matters most in keeping the quarterback clean.
Still, the matchup offers some mitigation. San Francisco finished the regular season with only 20 sacks, last in the NFL.
That low sack total could soften the blow of losing a veteran tackle in a high-stakes game.
What to watch early in the game
Key storylines to follow in the opening quarters:
- Whether Fred Johnson can withstand the 49ers’ edge rushers.
- How the Eagles adjust protections without their top pass blocker.
- Whether injuries force additional rotation along the offensive line.
Coaches will likely simplify calls and slide protection to the right early. Those adjustments will reveal how prepared the replacement linemen are for playoff speed.
