OL Johnson shakes off ankle injury to face Giants
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. >> Pro Bowl offensive tackle Lane Johnson looked gimpy testing his ankle Thursday before the Eagles took on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. But while Johnson was listed as questionable, there was no question about his heart.
The veteran not only suited up but showed up to play, making good on his vow to take advantage of every possible snap since serving a 10-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug rules during the 2016 season.
The Eagles entered the contest with a 19-6 (.760) record when Johnson has played since the suspension, including the playoffs.
Johnson gutted it out from the get-go as Kareem Martin bull-rushed him long enough to hit the throwing arm of Carson Wentz twice in the first quarter alone. Johnson survived the slow start and dug in.
Johnson limped off the field with 11 seconds left in the third quarter, the Eagles with a 31-13 lead. He was replaced by Stefen Wisniewski. But the big guy got back in the game a play later.
Wentz looked tentative as well. Earlier this week he was given a day off from practice to “rest,” according to the team injury report. The Eagles raised eyebrows by activating thirdstring quarterback Nate Sudfeld, who has been scratched every week.
Also active for the Eagles was safety Tre Sullivan, promoted from the practice squad.
Backup Nick Foles was the first quarterback on the field for the Eagles once the tarp was removed. Foles got a lot of pre-game work in.
The Eagles scratched running back Darren Sproles (hamstring), linebackers D.J. Alexander and Nathan Gerry (ankle, knee), safety Corey Graham (hamstring) and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (calf). For the Giants, pass rusher Olivier Vernon made his season debut, an ankle sprain sidelining him the first five games.
The Giants deactivated tight ends Evan Engram (knee) and Rhett Ellison, wide receiver Russell Shepard (neck), quarterback Kyle Lauletta, offensive lineman Evan Brown and defensive tackle John Jenkins.
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Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones exited early in the second quarter with a hamstring issue. That sent Malcolm Jenkins from safety to the slot, and later Avonte Maddox to the slot.
Offensive tackle Jason Peters hurt his biceps in the third quarter, taking himself out of the game. Hal Vaitai took over on the left side.
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Penn State product Saquon Barkley went over 100 scrimmage yards in the first half, making him one of just two NFL players to get 100 or more such yards in their first six starts. The other guy is Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt.
Barkley had a 46-yard run and caught a 55-yard screen pass in the first half.
Barkley went over 100 yards rushing on a 50-yard TD run in the second half.
The last guy to rush for 100 against the Eagles was Zeke Elliott of the Cowboys in the final game of the 2017 regular season.
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NOTES >> Eagles linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill picked off his first professional pass, Jordan Hicks tipping the ball to him on the first possession of the night. Hill returned it 24 yards to set up Wentz’s 13-yard TD pass to Alshon Jeffery. That throw back across the body gave Wentz a TD pass in 19 straight games, the longest streak of any Eagles player. … Eagles center Jason Kelce played in his 63rd consecutive game, second among active centers. … Eagles rookie punter Cam Johnston entered the game averaging a league-high 50.7 yards per kick. His net average is 43.5 yards, third in the league. “He’s very special,” former Giants and Eagles punter Jeff Feagles said. “Averaging over 50 yards a punt? I don’t think I ever averaged more than 50 yards a punt.” Feagles averaged a career-best 44.3 yards in 1997 with the Cardinals. His best season with the Eagles, he averaged 42.2 yards in 1997. … The Eagles won the coin flip for the sixth straight game. And for the sixth straight game, they deferred their choice to kick or receive until the second half.