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 Kansas City Chiefs' 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 Philadelphia 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 sustaining the injury during Week 16.

Upon video review of last week’s snaps against the San Francisco 49ers, Johnson is clearly bothered by the injury and Philadelphia has 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. 

Lane Johnson Injury Update

Based on his Pro Football Focus grades, Johnson’s run blocking was his strength compared to his pass blocking against San Francisco. During the regular season, however, 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. Bosa finished with 4 combined tackles and 2 tackles for a loss, but no sacks or quarterback hits.

This strategy worked well against San Francisco, but it remains to be seen if it will work against Kansas City in the biggest game of the year.

Chiefs vs. Eagles Super Bowl LVII Odds

The Eagles are favored by 1.5 points over the Chiefs and the over/under is 50.5 for Super Bowl 57, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

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