Eagles RT Johnson a surprise inactive due to personal reasons

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  Tim McManusOct 4, 2026, 11:49 AM ET

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  Tim McManus covers the Philadelphia Eagles for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2016 after covering the Eagles for Philadelphia Magazine's Birds 24/7, a site he helped create, since 2010.

PHILADELPHIA -- Eagles two-time All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson is inactive for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams for personal reasons.

Rookie Markel Bell is expected to get the start in Johnson's absence.

Just before the inactives were announced, the Eagles said Johnson was questionable for the game. He did not appear on this week's practice report.

With Fred Johnson (knee) also sidelined, the Eagles do not have any reserve tackles active for the game. They did not elevate tackle John Ojukwu from the practice squad before Saturday's deadline, an indication that Johnson's availability was not in serious question earlier in the week. Interior linemen Willie Lampkin and Micah Morris are the only backup options for Sunday.

Johnson, 36, is considered one of the best tackles in the game. A two-time Super Bowl champion, he has made the Pro Bowl six times and has earned first-team All-Pro honors twice.

Johnson missed four training camp practices this summer for personal reasons and announced upon his return that this would likely be his last season in the NFL.

"My mom is struggling with some health stuff, my dad," he said at the time, developments that put what matters into focus.

"As you get older, things change in your life, priorities. Your children get older, your parents get older, it just puts things into perspective," he said. "It's looking like this is potentially going to be probably my last year just because I am getting to that point. Those priorities away from football are starting to merge. I love everything about this game and am preparing for it, but this is kind of where I'm at in my career."