In a devastating blow to the Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant offensive line, star right tackle Lane Johnson is set to miss at least four weeks after suffering a Lisfranc foot injury during Sunday night’s gritty 16-9 victory over the Detroit Lions. The five-time All-Pro lineman, who has been the anchor of Philly’s protection scheme all season, is expected to land on injured reserve (IR), sidelining him through much of the regular season’s stretch run.
This Lane Johnson Lisfranc injury update comes just hours after the Eagles’ hard-fought Week 11 win, thrusting the team into a precarious position as they chase a deep playoff push in the NFC. With the Eagles holding a strong 8-3 record entering their Week 12 bye, Johnson’s absence tests the depth of an offensive line that has allowed just 12 sacks through 11 games – the fewest in the NFL.
How the Injury Unfolded: A First-Quarter Setback
The injury struck early in the first quarter during a third-and-short run play for running back Saquon Barkley. As the Lions’ defense stuffed the play at the line of scrimmage, Johnson twisted awkwardly on his right foot, signaling immediate concern. The 35-year-old veteran briefly visited the medical tent before limping off under his own power, never to return.
Veteran swing tackle Fred Johnson seamlessly stepped in, helping Philly’s offense grind out a low-scoring triumph despite the early deficit. Post-game, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni praised the group’s resilience but offered no immediate update on Johnson’s status, calling it a “tough one” for the locker room.
By Monday morning, NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped the bombshell: Johnson has been diagnosed with a Lisfranc sprain, a ligament injury in the midfoot that connects the metatarsal bones. Sources close to the team indicate it’s not a full tear requiring surgery, but severe enough to warrant non-weight-bearing recovery protocols.
Lisfranc Injury Explained: What It Means for NFL Players Like Lane Johnson
A Lisfranc injury, named after 18th-century surgeon Jacques Lisfranc, disrupts the stability of the foot’s arch, often from a twisting or direct impact. In the high-stakes world of NFL football, where linemen like Johnson absorb brutal contact weekly, it’s a notoriously tricky ailment.
- Severity Spectrum: Ranges from mild sprains (4-6 weeks) to full dislocations needing surgery (3-6 months).
- Recovery Process: Initial immobilization in a boot, followed by physical therapy focusing on balance and strength. Most pros avoid season-ending outcomes with prompt care.
- Notable Cases: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa missed five games with a similar issue in 2022, while Eagles fans recall Jason Peters battling back from a torn ACL in 2017.
For Johnson, the prognosis is optimistic: a 4-6 week timeline that could see him return by late December or early January, aligning with potential Wild Card or Divisional playoff games. However, the Eagles are likely to designate him for IR to ensure a minimum four-week absence and accelerate healing, per reports from Ian Rapoport.
Johnson is slated for a second opinion Monday afternoon, with further imaging to rule out complications. “It’s a Lisfranc sprain, and while not season-ending, he’ll need time,” one league source told ESPN.
Impact on the Eagles: Testing Philly’s O-Line Depth in a Critical Stretch
Losing Johnson – a two-time First-Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler – is seismic for an Eagles squad already navigating injuries. Entering Week 11, he boasted a pristine 0.0% sack/knockdown rate, per Pro Football Focus, making him indispensable in protecting QB Jalen Hurts’ blindside.
- Immediate Replacement: Fred Johnson, a 30-year-old journeyman, filled in admirably Sunday, allowing zero pressures in 58 snaps. But consistency over weeks remains a question mark.
- Depth Chart Shuffle: The Eagles could elevate Jack Driscoll or even shift Mekhi Becton from guard, though Becton’s own knee history adds risk.
- Season Stakes: Philly faces a gauntlet post-bye: at Baltimore (Week 13), vs. Washington (Week 14), at Pittsburgh (Week 15). A weakened line could inflate Hurts’ hit count, already at 28 this year.
Fan reactions on X (formerly Twitter) poured in Monday, blending concern with defiance: “Huge blow, but Fred held it down. Fly Eagles Fly through the storm,” tweeted one supporter. Reuters Sports echoed the sentiment, noting the IR move as a “strategic pause” for Philly’s title aspirations.
This isn’t Johnson’s first dance with the injury bug in 2025. He missed snaps earlier due to a left ankle tweak against Green Bay and a nagging stinger, underscoring his ironman status at 35 years young. Drafted No. 4 overall in 2013 out of Oklahoma, Johnson has started 162 games, earning Super Bowl LII glory and cementing his legacy as one of the league’s elite.
Outlook: A Playoff Push with a Silver Lining?
While the Philadelphia Eagles injury news dims the immediate horizon, there’s a forced rest angle. The Week 12 bye provides extra healing time, and Johnson’s veteran savvy could make his return feel like an acquisition. “He’s our rock,” Sirianni said post-game. “We’ll rally around him.”
As the Eagles practice Wednesday, all eyes will be on Johnson’s updates. For now, Philly faithful hold breath – but with a 7-1 home record and the NFC’s second seed in sight, resilience defines this roster.
