The Philadelphia Eagles will close out their regular-season series against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday evening. Unfortunately, they are entering the game without a key player in Lane Johnson.

All season long, Johnson has battled through setbacks, but has managed to be on the field for each game. Sunday marks his first total absence since the Eagles opened up the 2025 NFL season against the Cowboys at home back on September 4.

Amid the Eagles’ 16-9 victory over the Detroit Lions last Sunday night, Johnson checked out after just 14 offensive snaps. He was dealing with a foot injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. The following day, it was reported that Johnson could miss up to six weeks of action.

All week long, all eyes were on Johnson as the idea of a surgery was being tossed out as an option for the star blocker. On Saturday, it was confirmed that Johnson has steered clear of the operating table. According to The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Johnson will avoid surgery—resulting in avoiding the injured reserve as well.

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If all goes as expected, Johnson could be back on the field for the Eagles in less than a month. After they wrap up Sunday’s game in Dallas, the Eagles will return home for a Black Friday battle against the Chicago Bears next week. Following a trip out west to visit the Los Angeles Chargers, Johnson could realistically get back in the mix for the December 14 outing against the Las Vegas Raiders.

If not by then, the Eagles have two games against the Washington Commanders and a battle against the Buffalo Bills to close out the 2025 regular season.

The Eagles are currently looking to maintain their position as the top seed in the NFC. With an 8-2 record, the Los Angeles Rams are the only team to match. Earlier in the season, the Eagles defeated the Rams, giving Philadelphia an edge as long as they are tied.

History shows that the Eagles struggle without Johnson, winning just 39 percent of their games in his absence in the past. Fortunately, they’ve managed to win all four of the games in which he didn’t play at least 90 percent of the snaps. For the time being, the Eagles will lean on Fred Johnson.

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