Philadelphia Eagles fans got good news from The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane, who said right tackle Lane Johnson is expected to practice leading up to the NFC Wild Card game against the San Francisco 49ers, but that doesn't mean he will actually play.
NFL analyst Brian Baldinger spoke on The Anthony Gargano Show, where they broke down the injuries the 49ers are dealing with on defense. While breaking that subject down, Baldinger made an interesting comment about Johnson.
"Like if the Eagles are stuck in this game offensively, the fans are just not going to be able to handle it man. They're just not. Like they just gave everyone a week of rest, right? They're going to be fully healthy. I don't think Lane (Johnson) will go but you know, we'll see. Regardless, they should be fully healthy and rested against a defense that there's not one person on that defense that scares you. Not one."
It sure doesn't sound like Lane Johnson might return for Eagles yet
Eagles writer Anthony DiBona shared the clip on social media as he gave his thoughts on Baldinger's comment. DiBona noted that Baldinger and Johnson have a close relationship, insinuating that if the NFL analyst says he doesn't think Johnson will be back, take it at face value.
The Eagles have been limping to the playoffs offensively without Johnson since he hurt his foot in the Detroit Lions game in November. Over the last month, every week has been speculation about whether he would return, with Eagles fans just disappointed by the news that he is out.
Philly has been rolling with Fred Johnson at right tackle since Lane Johnson has been out, and while Fred has been good, he doesn't play at the level that Lane does. In the 10 games he played in this season, Lane Johnson did not allow a single quarterback hit or sack all year in 262 pass block snaps.
Baldinger can say what he wants, but the fact that the 49ers have injuries doesn't mean this defensive unit hasn't played well. They have been good enough to help the team finish 12-5 and put them one game away from being the NFC's number one seed.
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The Eagles need Johnson out there to give this offense a chance to play well. Fans will have to wait and see what the first injury report shows.