Even though he's dealing with a twice-sprained MCL and an ankle injury that's even worse, Lane Johnson could be playing a new position for the Eagles this Sunday.
Johnson could play left tackle if Jason Peters is unable to return from a quad injury in time for the Week 5 matchup against the Saints, Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said Wednesday.
Johnson has played 32 games for the Eagles in his three-year NFL career and all 32 have been at right tackle. When you draft an offensive lineman fourth overall as the Eagles did with Johnson in 2013, it is usually with designs of eventually moving him to left tackle, the line's most important position. But Peters has not missed a game since 2012 so that spot hasn't opened up.
Peters initially injured his quad toward the end of the Eagles' Week 3 win over the Jets, and he was limited to just six snaps against the Redskins after aggravating it.
Though Kelly said Johnson could be the answer at LT this Sunday if Peters can't go, it seems pretty unlikely that would actually happen. Johnson was off to the side without his helmet as the Eagles began practice Wednesday morning. At best, he'll be a limited participant.
And while Kelly said there's still time for Johnson to practice this week — Thursday, Friday or Saturday — it's pretty tough to ask a guy to play a new position when he's not even close to full strength.
Many players would miss several weeks with the leg injuries Johnson has, but he's going to tough it out.
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"We ain't got nobody else," Johnson said Tuesday when asked if he would play through pain (see story).
If Peters is out Sunday and Johnson doesn't move across the line to replace him, look for Matt Tobin to play left tackle and Dennis Kelly to play right guard.