Johnson’s injury creates big void on offensive line
PHILADELPHIA >> The Eagles suffered another damaging injury Sunday when Pro Bowl right tackle Lane Johnson exited with a head injury in the second quarter of their 17-10 loss to the Patriots.
Johnson was carted off with a towel over his face, the Eagles holding a 10-0 lead. They were outscored, 17-0, gave up five sacks and got over midfield just once after he left. It wasn’t the fault of Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who stepped in at right tackle.
“Obviously one player doesn’t make an offense but at the same time, just replacing Lane Johnson is hard,” Pro Bowl guard Brandon Brooks said. “He’s one of the best in the league. (Vaitai) came in and battled. We’ve just got to be consistent and execute. I think this loss is on us as an offense.”
Minus Johnson, the Eagles gained just 29 yards on their next seven possessions, with Carson Wentz throwing off balance just a few too many times. Wentz’s fumble late in the first half set up a Patriots field goal. It was the only turnover of the game.
“I don’t really know the status of Lane and what’s going on,” Wentz said. “I’m going to be checking in on him and praying for him. Not to discredit Lane at all because, shoot, he’s probably the best right tackle in football. But we feel we have really good depth at that position and with (Vaitai) being able to step in, I have a ton of confidence in him.
“So, I don’t think that was the deal-breaker by any means.”
Coincidence or not, the cumulative effect of injuries took a toll on the Eagles.
Their leading touchdownmakers, running back Jordan Howard and Alshon Jeffery, were scratched due to injuries. Howard tops the Eagles in rushing.
Zach Ertz caught a season-high nine passes for 94 yards but Nelson Agholor had just four receptions on nine targets, and Dallas Goedert three grabs on six targets. Rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside had the longest reception of the day, a 29-yarder. It’s his third catch of the season.
Wentz completed just 20 of 40 attempts for 214 yards and one touchdown.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Eagles linebacker Nate Gerry hobbled off with a hip injury in the first half but returned to action.
Patriots receiver Phillip Dorsett exited with a head injury after catching a scoring pass from Julian Edelman in the third quarter.
Eagles defensive back Avonte Maddox, who hurt his neck earlier in the year, got another scare in the fourth quarter defending a deep ball to Edelman. Maddox had his head and neck twisted backward when Edelman played defense on the incompletion. He also returned.
With 3:12 left in the game,
Jason Peters hobbled off. He was replaced by rookie Andre Dillard. Peters came back on the same possession.
••• Wentz connected with Goedert for a five-yard score in the first half, giving him a touchdown pass in 13 consecutive games, tied with Russell Wilson for the second longest streak among active players.
The play initially was ruled an interception by defensive back Jonathan Jones, who wrestled the ball away in the end zone. Goedert and the Eagles were awarded a touchdown after the replay review.