Eagles face injury woes with Lane Johnson and Jalen Carter sidelined
The Philadelphia Eagles have confirmed an expected list of inactives ahead of their Week 15 showdown against the Las Vegas Raiders. Notably absent from the lineup will be right tackle Lane Johnson, nursing a foot injury, and defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who is dealing with shoulder issues. Both players were officially ruled out on Friday, leaving the Eagles to navigate their upcoming game without two key contributors.
Healthy scratches and their implications
Joining Johnson and Carter on the inactive list are edge defender Josh Uche, running back A.J. Dillon, cornerback Mac McWilliams, and emergency quarterback Sam Howell. Uche continues to be a healthy scratch for the third straight game, having not seen a defensive snap since Week 8. Dillon, too, finds himself sidelined for the seventh time in the last eight games, with no offensive snaps since Week 6.
McWilliams has only managed to log seven defensive snaps and 14 special teams plays during his rookie season. Howell, the emergency third-string quarterback, will only see the field if both Jalen Hurts and Tanner McKee are unable to play.
Next steps for the Eagles
With Johnson’s potential return to practice next week ahead of the Eagles’ matchup against Washington on December 20, there is hope for his swift recovery. Conversely, Carter’s timeline for a return remains uncertain, adding further challenges for the Eagles’ defensive strategy.
In the meantime, Fred Johnson will step in as the starting right tackle. Carter’s absence will necessitate an adaptive approach, as defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will look to a mixed rotation on the interior line. Last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Eagles employed a five-man rotation at defensive tackle featuring Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Brandon Graham, and Ty Robinson. During pre-game warmups, Graham was observed specifically working at defensive tackle.
Elevating the roster
In a move to bolster their depth, safety Andre’ Sam was elevated from the practice squad just ahead of the game, marking his third and final elevation this regular season. His inclusion adds another layer of flexibility for the Eagles as they gear up to tackle the challenges posed by the Raiders.
As the team prepares for this critical matchup, the absence of key players like Johnson and Carter underscores the ongoing battle against injuries that could impact their playoff aspirations.
