Johnson not 100 percent, but ready to go
Lane Johnson is easing back into practice this week, but fully expects to be on the field when the Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams Sunday.
The Pro Bowl right tackle was a noticeable absence in the Eagles’ dreadful season-opening loss against the Washington Football Team. The makeshift offensive line, which is also without guard Brandon Brooks and tackle Andre Dilliard due to season-ending injuries, had no answer for a fierce Washington pass rush that sacked Carson Wentz eight times.
Johnson watched from the sideline as the offensive line grossly under performed in the Week 1 defeat.
“With how we started, it was looking really nice, and then really a tale of two halves, and then not executing as far as the offense. We have to click better,” he said. “There’s no excuse and all the wrongs we did on Sunday, we can make it up this Sunday.”
Johnson was limited in practice Thursday. He is recovering from a “tightrope” ankle surgery.
“I won’t be 100 percent, but I’ll be ready to play,” Johnson said. “When you have the ‘tightrope’ surgery, it tightens those two bones together where there’s not a gap in there, so you can have stability and all you really have to do is gain back the strength ... and it’s getting a lot stronger. Last week ... I would try to ramp up on it and the swelling would get bad and then have to deal with that, but now it’s starting to roll over so I’m starting to feel good.”
“This (surgery) is kind of a fix-it for me. It’s something that got addressed and I think it will only get better as the season goes along.
Johnson knows the offensive line has to establish the run and contain defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who is considered one of the best overall player in the NFL. Eagles rushers managed only 57 yards on 17 carries.
“Last week, i don’t think we ran the ball very effectively. My mindset is, if we can take the pressure off the passing game and run the ball effectively, then that makes our team a lot better,” Johnson said. “Whenever we’re able to do, from my experience, the games so a lot better, a lot smoother and you really have control of the clock and the whole entire game if you can run the ball effectively.”
••• Darius Slay is a big fan of Rams wide receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp.
“They’re one of the best low-key duos (in the league),” said the Eagles cornerback.
Woods slayed Dallas defensive backs last week, catching six passes for 105 yards in the Rams’ 2017 victory. Ninety of those yards came after the catch.
Kupp was limited to 40 yards on four receptions, but the 27-year-old is coming off a season in which he hauled in 94 catches for 1,161 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“I like them — I love them, actually,” Slay said. “They both can block, run, and they’re very counter-partners. They (do) it all. I feel like Robert Woods doesn’t get enough credit for the offense; he does a lot of the dirty work for the offense, I got a lot of respect for his game and what he brings to the Rams . ... I’m looking forward to lining up in front of whoever I need to be in front of, but they’re a very talented group. We have to contain them and do a good job with them.”
Lost in the utter collapse of the Eagles offense was a defensive secondary that played pretty well in Washington last week. Quarterback Dwayne Haskins’ threw for only 178 yards and his lone TD pass was to a tight end on a goal-togo situation.
Rams quarterback Jared Goff was fairly average against Dallas. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 275 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception.
Slay knows DB talent when he sees it and offered plenty of praise for hardhitting Rams corner Jalen Ramsey.
“I don’t compare myself to him because we’re two different styles of player, but he’s a great corner, one of the top guys in the league, who shows it day in and day out,” Slay said. “He’s a very talented kid, and I’m looking forward to seeing him perform on Sunday.
“I hope he has a bad (game) so we can win.”
•••
Nate Herbig was a surprise addition to the Eagles’ 53-man roster out of training camp. An even bigger surprise was seeing him line up at right guard against Washington.
Herbig came in camp as the backup to center Jason Kelce. Matt Pryor had seemingly emerged as the starting right guard after Brooks went down. Instead, it was Herbig who got the call at the right guard position Sunday. The Eagles were overwhelmed by
Washington’s pass rush and their struggles were partially attributed to the general lack of experience of players such as Herbig and Jack Driscoll, who started at right tackle for Johnson before leaving the game with cramps.
“I just go out to practice every day and do my job to the best of my abilities,” Herbig said Thursday. “I’ll do whatever they ask me to do.”
Herbig relishing the opportunity playing alongside Kelce, Johnson and Jason Peters, and feels he has a lot to improve upon.
“I’m just excited to play next to (Johnson), I feel like I have to elevate my game playing next to one of the best,” he said. “They’re all some of the best in the business. You get to the line, you’re focused on your job, and whatever Kelce says goes because he runs the show on the O-line. I’m just excited to get after it.”
•••
NOTES » Miles Sanders was a full participant in practice for a second straight day. The second-year running back is coming off a hamstring injury which kept him off the field against Washington ... Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and wide receiver DeSean Jackson returned to practice following rest days ... Defensive end Brandon Graham (concussion) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (pectoral, hamstrong) were limited participants in practice... Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery remained out due to a foot injury.