Lane Johnson retirement creates major fantasy concerns for Jalen Hurts, Eagles offense

Lane Johnson’s retirement strips the Philadelphia Eagles of their most dependable blocker four games into a season in which the offense already leads the NFL with 15 three-and-out drives, and the move lowers the outlook for every Philadelphia fantasy starter.

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The 36-year-old right tackle announced Tuesday that he’s stepping away after 14 seasons, two days removed from a late scratch for personal reasons. “Right now, it is critical that I focus on my mental health,” Johnson wrote in his statement.

Johnson allowed two pressures, no sacks and no quarterback hits across 112 pass-blocking snaps this season. Since 2016, including the playoffs, the Eagles are 98-42-1 with the 2013 No. 4 overall pick in the lineup and 15-29 without him.

MORE: Lane Johnson announces retirement from Eagles after stepping away for mental health

Markel Bell replaces Johnson at right tackle

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Markel Bell (72) is seen against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. | Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Markel Bell is a third-round rookie taken 68th overall out of Miami. He made his first NFL start on short notice in the 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-foot-9, 345-pound tackle is also switching sides, since 821 of his 826 snaps for the Hurricanes last season came at left tackle. Big fella makes his jersey look a size too small, even for a right tackle, a position known for its girth.

Bell didn’t allow a sack across 440 pass-blocking snaps in his final college season. Head coach Nick Sirianni didn’t single him out for any breakdowns against the Rams. “I thought he battled and went in there and played his butt off,” Sirianni said.

Behind him, 29-year-old swing tackle Fred Johnson hasn’t logged an offensive snap this season because of a knee injury. That left the Eagles dressing only seven offensive linemen Sunday. A rookie starting full time behind an offense that went 0-for-12 on third down against the Rams makes every Eagles skill player a riskier weekly start.

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How does losing Johnson affect Hurts?

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) snaps the ball against the Los Angeles Rams | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

What’s a step down from bad? Terrible? Horrendous? Let’s just call it Philly’s 2026 offense with no Lane Johnson cause we got the preview, warts and all, last week.

Jalen Hurts threw for 93 yards on 12 completions against Los Angeles, his fewest passing yards in a game he started and finished. The Rams blitzed him on 60.6% of his dropbacks and generated pressure on 13 of their 18 blitzes.

Opponents will keep sending extra rushers at a first-year tackle. The former Oklahoma quarterback has taken 12 sacks through four games and has only 713 passing yards, so his fantasy value now rests on his 105 rushing yards on 21 carries and his goal-line work. I’ve got Hurts at QB15 for Sunday’s 9:30 a.m. ET game against the Jaguars in London. That might be too generous.

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Eagles running backs and receivers outlook

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after a touchdown against the Washington Commanders | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Could it get any worse? It’s possible.

Saquon Barkley is week-to-week with a hamstring injury suffered in the first quarter Sunday, and Tank Bigsby is headed to injured reserve after core-muscle surgery. That leaves Will Shipley as the only healthy running back on the active roster.

Barkley averaged 2.5 yards before contact on his 36 carries with Johnson in the lineup, and that early running room will be harder to find with a rookie on the right side. Shipley is a volume-based flex option if Barkley sits, but he has managed 51 yards on 15 carries this season.

DeVonta Smith (hamstring) and tight end Dallas Goedert both missed Week 4. Smith still leads the team with 19 catches for 235 yards on 27 targets. Dontayvion Wicks has 12 catches for 197 yards. Darius Cooper scored twice in the red zone against the Rams last week. More quick throws to protect Bell would favor Smith once he’s healthy and keep Cooper in the flex conversation for deep leagues. Volume doesn’t hurt, but a more one-dimensional offense hurts the team.

The entire Eagles offense, if it wasn’t already, is on notice. Is it fair to downgrade the entire unit? It might be, and fantasy managers should err on the side of caution with everyone but the team’s best players, like Barkley and Smith, when healthy. Even Goedert, when he returns, will be a borderline starter.

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