Eagles to go with Inexperience on Right Side of Offensive Line
When the Eagles revealed their Week 1 inactive list, the only mild surprise among the seven players was right tackle Lane Johnson.
Johnson, who was limited in practice throughout the week with an ankle ailment, was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report. On Sunday morning, NFL Media's Mike Garafolo reported that Johnson would attempt to play through the injury.
While many expected Matt Pryor to move from right guard to right tackle, and speculated that Nate Herbig could earn his first NFL start at right guard, the Eagles had other plans. Instead, ESPN's Tim McManus reported that rookie Jack Driscoll is slated to start at right tackle, and the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane revealed that Herbig would play right guard.
The fact that the team gave the nod to Driscoll, a fourth-round rookie who made encouraging strides in training camp, isn't surprising. It was more so tabbing Herbig, an inexperienced, albeit intriguing second-year player, to play right guard that raised some eyebrows.
Pryor, who started at right guard in place of Brandon Brooks in the playoff game against Seattle, seemingly performed competently enough to warrant another look but will now serve as the team's top reserve.