Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
October 4, 2026 NFL, Featured, NFC East, Philadelphia Eagles
Hours before the Philadelphia Eagles were set to play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, right tackle Lane Johnson was added to the injury report for a personal reason.
Johnson, 36, has won two Super Bowls with the Eagles, made six Pro Bowl appearances, and earned All-Pro honors five times. It’s unclear when the 2013 first-round pick by Philadelphia will return this season.
During an appearance on PHLY Sports, former Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, who retired after the 2025 season, made curious comments about Johnson’s absence.
“This Lane stuff, man… it’s just killing me, because it’s like, come on, Lane, like we need you,” Graham said on a video going viral on social media. “It’s like I hate for you to go out like this, and I know I just hate that because man… we needed him in this game.”
Graham didn’t explicitly say Johnson was considering immediately retiring after Week 4. He told reporters before the start of the season this would probably be his last year in the league.
Johnson missed some of training camp due to personal reasons and referenced his aging parents as the reason why he missed those practices, per Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Philadelphia Eagles need Lane Johnson
Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane JohnsonPhiladelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) and running back Saquon Barkley (26) on the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Some on social media have taken Graham’s comments “to go out like this” to mean Johnson was considering immediately retiring during the season. To be clear, Graham said nothing of the sort. The point Graham was making was that he wanted to see Johnson remain active on game days to play with the team.
“I know this show last year, man, but let’s go out with a bang with it,” Graham said. “I just know more than what I could really say right now. But it’s just like, come on, man. Like, come on, we need you in this.”
The Eagles fell to the Rams 24–20 to fall to 2–2 after a second consecutive loss. Hurts was sacked four times in the loss (with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald not playing due to injury). Hurts threw for 92 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles rushed for 104 yards on 27 carries. Philadelphia gained just 172 yards of total offense.
Graham explained that rookie third-round pick Markel Bell, who played in Johnson’s absence, shouldn’t be blamed for the loss. But not having Johnson on the field limited the play calling for offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
“But I’m just saying, like, it makes the coach not want to call certain stuff if you don’t have most of your guys in there, especially on the O line,” Graham said.
The Eagles will next play the 3–1 Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 5.
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