Stoutland Refuses to Rule Out Lane Johnson

PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The last time Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland spoke to the media, left tackle Jason Peters had just suffered a biceps tear against the New York Giants and the assumption was that the veteran was going to miss some time.

Stoutland, however, nixed that pretty quickly.

"I don't think he's going to miss any time, personally," Stoutland said of Peters.

The take proved prophetic.

Fast forward to Tuesday at the NovaCare Complex and Stoutland was having his monthly meeting with reporters, this time with right tackle Lane Johnson hurting with what has been reported as an MCL sprain, an injury that has cost others up to a month.

“You’re not counting Lane out, are you,” Stoutland quipped when asked if he had confidence in swing tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai. “I mean, I think he’s a tough guy. I think that knowing Lane Johnson, anything he can do to be out on that field, he’ll be [there]."

“I’m not a doctor or anything like that, but I just, I know how he operates.”

Earlier this season Johnson already played through a high-ankle sprain so Stoutland's belief in the All-Pro is understandable.

Things should become clearer on Wednesday when the Eagles return to the practice field in advance of Sunday's game against Dallas and the first injury report of the week is released.

-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen