The Philadelphia Eagles are away for Week 5 today as they prepare to play the Carolina Panthers. However, they will play, missing a key role to their offense again.
For the second consecutive week, offensive tackle Lane Johnson will be out due to a personal matter. NBS Sports John Clark stated, Johnson drove to Oklahoma last week, missing the game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Head of security Dom DiSandro went to get him on Wednesday, bringing him back to Philadelphia. Johnson was supposed to return to the NovaCare Complex that day, but according to some reports, that never occurred.
“He’s not here today [Wednesday], still dealing with a personal matter,” head coach Nick Sirianni stated. “Really can’t go any more further into that, still going to respect his privacy. But he is not here today.”
Without Johnson, the Eagles will now use their third offensive line combination in five games — something they became all too familiar with last season.
The good news is that Jordan Mailata will return after missing the previous two games with a knee injury. Mailata could fill in for Johnson at right tackle, while Andre Dillard, who replaced Mailata, could remain at left tackle. Head coach Nick Sirianni wouldn’t comment on the combination, stating that gives him a “competitive advantage” against the Panthers.
Placing Mailata at right tackle would put Jack Driscoll, who played right tackle for Johnson last week, to right guard.
Whatever the combination, fans are looking for a win after Philadelphia’s three consecutive losses. Today’s kickoff is at 1 PM.
