2 min read • July 14, 2022
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The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line is entering this season as the No. 1 rated line, according to Pro Football Focus. The line is returning all but one starter from 2021. Additionally, the team is heavily invested in the passing game with former tenth overall pick DeVonta Smith and recently acquired A.J. Brown.
Here are the health assessments for two starters on the line responsible for protecting mobile quarterback Jalen Hurts:
After left guard Seumalo suffered a right foot Lisfranc injury in Week 3 last season, rookie Landon Dickerson took over in his absence and excelled. With the emergence of Dickerson and right guard Brandon Brooks’ retirement, Seumalo will be taking over the right guard spot on the Eagles’ offensive line.
Our team of Pro Football Docs said they believe Seumalo will be a full go Week 1, giving him a 93 SIC Score.
In his first two and half seasons of the league, the 28-year-old left guard played sporadically. His moment came as a starter in Week 5 of 2018. He went on to start 30 of the next 33 games before spraining his left MCL in 2020.
Surgery allowed the Oregon State alum to return for the final seven games of the 2020 season, where he played 100 percent of snaps.
At OTAs in June, Seumalo said he is ahead of schedule for recovery from his foot injury and anticipates to be a full participant at training camp in two weeks. The position change, as our Docs said, will allow Seumalo to put less pressure on his right foot
Johnson has missed time in the last three seasons while dealing with mental health issues and multiple ankle injuries. The 32 year old is entering his 10th season in the league and hopefully one not plagued by injuries.
The Docs said they are hopeful the injuries, depression and anxiety are behind the Eagles Pro-Bowl starting right tackle; yet, they are cautious with an 87 SIC score.
Depression and anxiety, combined with the rigors of an NFL season, are tough for anyone to deal with. That and his age result in a slightly lowered SIC score.
Before these last three seasons filled with injuries, Johnson played in 80 of 96 games. He played a major role in the Eagles Super Bowl run during the 2017 season. PFF named the First-Team All-Pro tackle the 85th-best player in 2017.
Two years later, Johnson signed the biggest offensive lineman contract in NFL history, a four-year, $72 million extension with $54 million guaranteed,
Then the injuries began: he first suffered a grade 2 MCL and high ankle sprain during the middle of the 2018 season. He was expected to be out a month, but he played through the injury and only missed one game.
The most significant injury came in December of the 2019 season where Johnson severely injured his left ankle. He underwent two different ankle injuries in August and November of the following year. His deltoid ligament had collapsed from ligament damage and high ankle sprains, forcing him out for four to five months. He only played 81 percent of snaps that season.
Johnson returned as a full participant for the 2021 season; however, he missed three games as dealt with a personal issue, which later was revealed to be depression and anxiety.
The Oklahoma product also dealt with a lingering knee injury last season, but he is fully recovered and ready for training camp. PFF rates Johnson as the No. 5 offensive tackle after his 83.3 grade last season.
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