Having already clinched the NFC East, the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles are getting healthier ahead of another potential title run. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter is expected to return in Week 17 in Buffalo, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The same goes for right tackle Lane Johnson, per Schefter. However, his status is murkier after he did not participate in practice on Thursday.
Carter fully practiced on Thursday, a sign he’s set to come back after a three-game absence. The third-year star did enough over his first 10 games this season to earn his second straight Pro Bowl nod, but shoulder problems have kept him out for all of December.
Carter received multiple shots in both shoulders earlier this month. His shoulders have bothered him since last spring, and the 6-foot-3, 314-pounder may not bounce back to 100% this season. It’s something he’s likely to address in the offseason, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer).
In the meantime, Philadelphia should benefit from Carter’s return. Even though he hasn’t played at full strength this year, Carter has totaled 32 tackles, 11 QB hits, six passes defensed and two sacks.
The Eagles’ defense, tied for third in points per game allowed, relied on Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Byron Young while Carter was on the shelf. Defensive end Brandon Graham has also seen action along the interior in recent weeks. With three sacks over the past two games, the 37-year-old Graham has turned back the clock.
Like Graham, the 35-year-old Johnson remains a valuable contributor despite his age. Johnson has started in all 10 appearances this season, but the six-time Pro Bowler and potential Hall of Famer hasn’t played since suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot in Week 11. Although Johnson has missed five games in a row, the Eagles opted against placing him on injured reserve.
In the event Lane Johnson’s absence drags into Sunday, Fred Johnson will continue filling in for him on the right side. The seventh-year man would make a career-high seventh start in that scenario.