Determined to protect players, Pederson to give NFL a heads-up
PHILADELPHIA » After missing a game with a concussion, Lane Johnson played in the Eagles’ 3424 victory Monday over the Washington Redskins. With 5:56 left in the first quarter, however, he was hit in the head by Junior Galette on the way to a shared sack of Carson Wentz with Ryan Kerrigan. Coincidence? That’s what Doug Pederson wants the NFL to determine. Asked directly at his day-after press conference Tuesday if he planned to shoot the league a video clip of the alleged Washington foul, Pederson didn’t hide.
“Protocol,” Pederson said. “We’ll go through the games, which we’ve done. And myself and Jon Ferrari (the Eagles’ director of football compliance) will pull out a handful of plays and submit them and just see what the league says about some of those, what we thought were fouls or no fouls that weren’t called.
“So we’ll send some of those in.”
Despite the contact, illegal or otherwise, Johnson remained in the game. Indeed, he played so well that Pederson sounded reluctant Tuesday to move him from right to left tackle to replace the injured Jason Peters.
Johnson was hardly campaigning for the shift.
“I really don’t know,” he said. “I haven’t had any reps there, so I’ll probably know more this week. I’m fine with it. We’re going to be facing pass rushers like DeMarcus Lawrence (Dallas) and Von Miller (Denver) coming in here, so there’s really no place to hide.”
*** Peters already has overcome multiple careerthreatening injuries. But the tears to his MCL and ACL Monday will require a lengthy recovery, perhaps leaving him unavailable at age 36 to return next season.
For that, the way the Eagles surrounded him on the field Monday, the way Pederson spoke about him Tuesday and the way the fans reacted had the tinge of a lifetime-achievement tribute.
“It just shows the love and respect that the guys have for him, quite honestly,” Pederson said. “And the chants from the crowd were breathtaking to experience for a guy that means a lot to this organization and to this community, this city.
“His blood, sweat and tears have been on that practice field and that game field for a lot of time. A lot of Pro Bowls. I think it’s just the love that everybody has for him. And to see that was pretty awesome.”
*** Mychal Kendricks missed the Washington game with a hamstring injury, but is likely to play Sunday, when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Linc at 1.
The linebacker played Monday.
“He was close,” Pederson said. “Again, going into that game, I just felt I would give extra time off on it and get him ready to go this week.” nearly
*** Mack Hollins scored his first NFL touchdown on a 64-yard reception pass from Carson Wentz.
Though he has been a special-teams value, might he see more opportunities as a receiver?
“He’s not hurting Pederson said.
While Hollins impressed Monday, the Eagles are deep in receivers. And with Chris Maragos (knee) gone for the season, the Eagles will be protective of their himself,” special-teams contributors.
*** NOTES » Tim Jernigan played only 17 snaps Monday. Pederson said the defensive tackle had a slight ankle problem and adjusted his rotation accordingly. … Out since Week 1 with an ankle injury, Ronald Darby is nearing a return. Pederson: “He’s getting close. He’s doing better. He practiced last week. He’ll practice again this week and see where he is day-by-day. So he’s getting close.”