Super Bowl LVII: Can Lane Johnson Maintain All-Pro Level While Playing Through Torn Adductor?

All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson’s first matchup against the combination of Chris Jones and Frank Clark will come in Super Bowl LVII, with Johnson playing through a torn adductor muscle that will require offseason surgery. 

The 32-year-old lifelong Eagle has allowed 2 pressures and committed 2 penalties in 127 snaps while playing through the issue in the postseason. 

He allowed 9 pressures and committed 6 penalties in 927 regular season snaps prior to the Week 16 injury.

Upon video review of last week’s snaps against San Francisco, Johnson is clearly bothered by the injury and the Eagles have employed several tactics to help out the protection on his side, according to the Pro Football Docs.

Johnson and the Eagles kept 49ers’ star pass rusher Nick Bosa at bay for most of the game, in part because of Jalen Hurts’ extraordinary mobility. 

Bosa finished with 4 combined tackles and 2 tackles for a loss, but no sacks or quarterback hits.

Lane Johnson Film Review

Based on his Pro Football Focus grades, Johnson’s run blocking was his strength compared to his pass blocking. During the regular season, it was the other way around. 

That change is likely due to his adductor injury.

Johnson sent Twitter users scrambling for the rulebook with his seemingly early starts to get out to the right side, as shown below.

Philadelphia also did not hesitate to use extra help on his side, often employing one or two tight ends to help block against Bosa.

One play had tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Jack Stoll assigned to block Bosa, with Johnson as the backup option behind them.

Philadelphia also employed a formation that brought left tackle Jordan Mailata over to the right side and moved Johnson to right guard, with veteran Andre Dillard manning the left tackle position.

This combination of tactics worked well against San Francisco, it remains to be seen if it will work against All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones and the Chiefs’ trio of Frank Clark, George Karlaftis and Carlos Dunlap.

Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl LVII Odds

The Eagles are favored by 1.5 points and the over/under is 50.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

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