Lane Johnson's Future With Eagles Remains Uncertain After Failed Comeback Efforts
The Philadelphia Eagles' search for a new offensive coordinator has been the dominant storyline of the offseason, but another uncertainty is looming over the team: the status of veteran right tackle Lane Johnson. The 13-year veteran suffered a Lisfranc foot sprain in November that left his return to the field uncertain.
Johnson's comeback was expected to be swift, given the Eagles' initial optimism that he would recover within four to six weeks. However, as the weeks went by and Johnson didn't participate in practice or play in the team's Wild Card game against the 49ers, concerns began to grow about his availability for the upcoming season.
Dr. Dinesh Dhanaraj, the Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, spoke with PhillyVoice about Johnson's injury and suggested that he may have sustained a more severe sprain than initially thought. "Even in November, I said that was optimistic," Dhanaraj said of Johnson's initial recovery timeline.
Now, as the offseason approaches, it's unclear whether Johnson will require surgery to repair his Lisfranc injury. If so, the extent of the procedure is unknown, but it could potentially involve a tightrope procedure or internal brace to stabilize the joint without major incisions.
The potential for surgery raises questions about Johnson's future with the Eagles. At 35 years old, he remains an elite player, but his long-term health is a concern. Dhanaraj noted that Johnson would need to undergo surgery if he expects to play in 2026, which could make him more susceptible to arthritis later in his career.
The uncertainty surrounding Johnson's status will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion when the Eagles begin their search for an offensive coordinator. Will he be able to return to form and lead the team's offense? Or will this season mark the end of an era for one of the NFL's greatest tackles?
One thing is certain: Lane Johnson's future with the Eagles is far from certain, and it will be worth keeping a close eye on as the offseason progresses.
The Philadelphia Eagles' search for a new offensive coordinator has been the dominant storyline of the offseason, but another uncertainty is looming over the team: the status of veteran right tackle Lane Johnson. The 13-year veteran suffered a Lisfranc foot sprain in November that left his return to the field uncertain.
Johnson's comeback was expected to be swift, given the Eagles' initial optimism that he would recover within four to six weeks. However, as the weeks went by and Johnson didn't participate in practice or play in the team's Wild Card game against the 49ers, concerns began to grow about his availability for the upcoming season.
Dr. Dinesh Dhanaraj, the Attending Orthopedic Surgeon at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, spoke with PhillyVoice about Johnson's injury and suggested that he may have sustained a more severe sprain than initially thought. "Even in November, I said that was optimistic," Dhanaraj said of Johnson's initial recovery timeline.
Now, as the offseason approaches, it's unclear whether Johnson will require surgery to repair his Lisfranc injury. If so, the extent of the procedure is unknown, but it could potentially involve a tightrope procedure or internal brace to stabilize the joint without major incisions.
The potential for surgery raises questions about Johnson's future with the Eagles. At 35 years old, he remains an elite player, but his long-term health is a concern. Dhanaraj noted that Johnson would need to undergo surgery if he expects to play in 2026, which could make him more susceptible to arthritis later in his career.
The uncertainty surrounding Johnson's status will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion when the Eagles begin their search for an offensive coordinator. Will he be able to return to form and lead the team's offense? Or will this season mark the end of an era for one of the NFL's greatest tackles?
One thing is certain: Lane Johnson's future with the Eagles is far from certain, and it will be worth keeping a close eye on as the offseason progresses.