The Philadelphia Eagles have reinforcements on the way. But it will be interesting to see how the Eagles manage a pair of All-Pros coming off injuries ahead of their Super Bowl defense.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson and defensive tackle Jalen Carter are both expected back in time to play against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Johnson, the 35-year-old future Hall of Famer, has missed five games with a Lisfranc sprain in his foot. The five-time All-Pro hasn’t played since Week 11 vs. the Detroit Lions.
Fred Johnson, the Eagles’ respected swing tackle, has filled in valiantly for the six-time Pro Bowler.
Carter, the 2024 All-Pro, has missed three straight games after a nonsurgical procedure on both of his shoulders. He hasn’t played since the Black Friday loss to the Chicago Bears.
Carter didn’t play well in that loss to the Bears, and it hasn’t been a great season overall for the 24-year-old. Carter played the most snaps of any interior d-lineman in the NFL last season, so that could be a contributing factor.
Still, adding a healthy Carter to Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and a defensive line that has been dominating without him would be scary.
But how much they play over the next two weeks is worth keeping a close eye on as the playoffs get closer.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) looks to pass under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP
It’s an overwhelming likelihood that the Eagles will be the No. 3 seed in the NFC. There’s a reasonable path to the No. 2 seed. There are even unlikely scenarios in which the Eagles can rise to the No. 1 seed or fall to the No. 4 seed.
Chasing the No. 2 seed is a worthwhile cause. The No. 2 seed would guarantee at least two home games in the playoffs, possibly three including the NFC title game. The No. 3 seed guarantees only one home game in the Wild Card round.
The Eagles would need to win on Sunday against the Bills in order to have a shot at the No. 2 seed. They need to win out with the Chicago Bears losing out to secure that.
But if the Eagles lose to the Bills and the Carolina Panthers beat the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17, the Eagles are a loss to the Washington Commanders and a Panthers win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 away from the No. 4 seed.
So it’s a bit of a balancing act when it comes to seeding importance and the health of Johnson and Carter — as well as the rest of the roster. The Eagles have to be careful, too, that they don’t put a pair of All-Pro players in a spot where they might re-injure themselves.
Head coach Nick Sirianni is cognizant of that.
“Every guy’s a little different. Every scenario’s a little different,” Sirianni said Monday. “Last year we had rested guys. But Dallas Goedert was just coming back in that last game against the Giants. He came back in, got him some early touches, and that was good for him. Every situation is a little different. Every injury is a little bit different. Every guy is a little bit different. Always trying to do what’s best for the guy and their health, first and foremost.”