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The Philadelphia Eagles made an update to their injury report ahead of their Week 6 game against the New York Giants tonight. Starting right tackle Lane Johnson is now ruled questionable to play as he’s dealing with an ankle injury.
Johnson was listed as a limited practice participant on Monday and Tuesday before being full go on Wednesday. He originally wasn’t listed on the Eagles’ final injury report.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that Johnson “has been dealing with a high-ankle injury a little bit that flared up. He’ll push to play but too early to tell.” He also adds:
More on #Eagles OT Lane Johnson: My understanding is this high-ankle sprain he was battling is something that will make it difficult for him to play. He’s going to do everything he can and will test it pre-game. But he has an uphill battle. Halapoulivaati Vaitai is his backup.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 11, 2018
If Johnson can’t play, the Eagles will have to rely on Halapoulivaati Vaitai starting at right tackle. That’s not ideal because he’s a big downgrade from Johnson. Big V filling in for Johnson would also mean that he can’t step in if/when Jason Peters, who has been dealing with a nagging quad issue, has to leave the game at some point.
If Johnson can’t play and Peters has to miss time, the Eagles could be looking at something like Isaac Seumalo being kicked out to tackle with Stefen Wisniewski coming back in at left guard. Or the Eagles could activate Matt Pryor and/or Jordan Mailata and have one of the rookies see their first playing time of the season. That seems less likely.
The good news for the Eagles is that the Giants don’t exactly have a devastating pass rush. New York ranks dead last in sacks and 27th in quarterback hits. But the Giants are also getting Olivier Vernon back, which could help them get more pressure.
Hopefully Johnson will be able to play. This is a crucial, must-win game for the Eagles. Beating the Giants means being first place in the NFC East at 3-3. Losing means falling to last at 2-4.
Week 6 NFL playoff leverage pic.twitter.com/lZtTbPQFPY
— Brian Burke (@bburkeESPN) October 10, 2018
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)
OUT
LB D.J. Alexander (quad)
LB Nathan Gerry (ankle, knee)
S Corey Graham (hamstring)
DT Haloti Ngata (calf)
RB Darren Sproles (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE
OT Lane Johnson (ankle)
NEW YORK GIANTS INJURY REPORT (THURSDAY)
OUT
TE Evan Engram (knee)
WR Russell Shepard (neck)
QUESTIONABLE
TE Rhett Ellison (foot)
...
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