The LA Chargers still have a game to play this Sunday vs. the Las Vegas Raiders that they can't yet look past. But they've received some potentially good news regarding their next opponent. After playing the Raiders, the calendar will turn to Monday Night Football vs. the Eagles on December 8th.
Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson will miss Friday's game vs. the Chicago Bears with a Lisfranc sprain suffered against Detroit. He also did not play in Philadelphia's loss to Dallas in Week 12.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided an update on Johnson's status prior to Friday's game. Per Rapoport, Johnson is tentatively targeting a return against the Raiders on December 14th. If that's the case, Johnson won't play Monday against the Chargers.
Chargers might catch a break against the Eagles' offensive line
Nothing is set in stone. Philadelphia will have a longer week of rest as they go from playing on Black Friday to MNF on December 8th. Hypothetically, that is enough time for the situation to change.
However, it seems unlikely that Rapoport would take Johnson playing against the Chargers off the table this early if there was a realistic chance at a Week 14 return.
The Eagles have struggled along the offensive line all year with players coming in and out of the lineup. Fred Johnson started at right tackle vs. the Cowboys in the absence of Lane Johnson. The Eagles' interior offensive line has also taken a step back from last season's performance as they've dealt with several injuries.
Center Cam Jurgens recently returned after dealing with back and knee issues. Philadelphia has also struggled to replace now-Chargers RG Mekhi Becton, who has failed to recapture his Eagles form in Los Angeles. Right guard Tyler Steen has given up 12 pressures in the team's last three games.
The Chargers' defensive line is coming off one of their worst performances of the year vs. Jacksonville. While they're unlikely to play quite that poorly again, they certainly will take any help they can get vs. this Eagles roster. Being able to bottle up running back Saquon Barkley has to be a point of emphasis for the Bolts as well.
Los Angeles managed to only pressure Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence seven times last week. If they want a chance to beat the Eagles, that number simply has to be higher vs. Jalen Hurts. The Super Bowl MVP boasts one of the lowest turnover-worthy play percentages in the league at just 1.0%. Getting him on the ground will be paramount for Jesse Minter's defensive unit.
We're probably still a week from having Johnson's potential absence vs. the Chargers confirmed by the Eagles. But it's a good piece of news for LA prior to the MNF showdown.