Johnson hopes to remind Cowboys he’s still there

Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson missed more than just the games during his 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s PEDs policy.

In addition to football, Johnson was cut off from the attention he routinely received. The snappy retorts to stupid questions are gold.

Johnson, for example, was asked about the hunting shotguns Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz presented to his offensive linemen for protecting him this season. (For those with Josh Huff flashbacks, it’s the thought that counts.)

“I’m lucky I got anything at all,” Johnson said. “I may have got a shotgun to the face.”

Johnson didn’t mean that, of course. He was funning. And after saying he wanted to play “excellent from here on out, I have a target on my back,” it had nothing to do with the gift.

What’s crystal clear is Johnson, who hails from Texas, takes Cowboys games personally. Whatever Jerry Jones does with the lineup and whoever plays, Johnson wants to remind them what they missed when they beat the Eagles without him earlier this season. “If we can just get a win and put a dent in their ribs when they hit the playoffs, that’ll be a good thing,” said Johnson, who will start his sixth and final game of the season Sunday. “I don’t know if they’re going to play their starters. Nobody really knows. But if they do, we’re going to go full tilt.”

••• Wide receiver Jordan Matthews (ankle) was the only Eagles player held out of practice Thursday.

Guard Allen Barbre (hamstring) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (ankle) were limited.

••• Pro Football Hall of Fame players Bob Brown (Class of 2004) and Tommy McDonald (Class of 1998) will be presented their Hall of Fame rings at halftime of the Eagles game with the Cowboys.

Brown, the second overall pick in the 1964 draft, is widely considered among the most dominant offensive tackles in pro football.

McDonald, the gritty receiver, caught three passes for 90 yards and a touchdown to spark the Eagles to their last NFL championship. The Birds beat the Packers, 17-13, in 1960 at Franklin Field.

••• The Eagles have lost four straight games to the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Cowboys beat the Eagles in five straight Philly appearances from 1968-72.

PHELAN M. EBENHACK — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Offensive tackle Lane Johnson hopes to remind the Cowboys this Sunday just how easy they had it in the first meeting with the Birds, when he was out due to a PED suspension.