Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson sits out of another practice

In less than three days, the Philadelphia Eagles fly south to do battle with the Carolina Panthers. The goal is to put an end to a three-game losing streak and get the winning taste back in a few mouths that are, quite frankly, sick of dropping one game after another.

If you haven’t been paying attention, the Panthers are a battle-ready roster. They’ve been stockpiling the cupboard with impressive draft picks and well-timed veteran additions, and it appears that, just when we were ready to give up on them, they’ve turned the corner, flipping Philly’s 1-3 win-loss total into a 3-1 mark of their own.

That’s good for a share of the lead in the NFC South. The Birds will have to take these guys seriously and hopefully walk into this one as healthy as possible.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ right tackle sits out of another practice.

Ever since Sunday, all eyes have been on Lane Johnson, or better yet, trying to locate the fan-favorite and one of the best Eagles of all time. News broke, shortly before the Eagles’ Week 3 tilt with the two-time defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs that Johnson would miss the game due to a personal matter. Four days later, as Philly began a Thursday afternoon practice session, there was still no sign of Number 65.

Darius Slay was also absent due to a personal matter. We later found out that congratulations were in order and that he and his wife had welcomed a newborn. There was also more fortunate news as Jordan Mailata, Jason Kelce, Avonte Maddox, and Quez Watkins all returned to the practice field.

Mailata was limited and wearing a brace. Kelce, Maddox, and Watkins were all full participants.

Now, first and foremost, in terms of Johnson, everyone hopes that everything is okay. Sure, he’s seasoned and can miss a practice or two, but everyone outside of the organization loves the big guy and is worried. His continued absence has led to some nervousness.

He’s clearly someone who makes the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line better when he is in the lineup than they do when he is out. Three Pro Bowl designations (2017–2019), a spot on the Pro Football Focus 2010s All-Decade Team, and a First-team All-Pro nod in 2017 are evidence of that. Still, with Jordan Mailata, Isaac Seumalo, Brandon Brooks, and Johnson all missing Week 3’s game, we were allowed the opportunity of seeing something else.

How good could some of these young Eagles offensive linemen hold up versus the Chiefs? They earned a passing grade in Week 3. Week 4, however, will be much more difficult as the competition ratchets up and the stakes get higher versus a stingy Carolina Panthers defense.