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Just hours before the Philadelphia Eagles took the field against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, right tackle Lane Johnson was placed on the injury report due to a personal matter.
Johnson, 36, has been a cornerstone for the Eagles, winning two Super Bowls, earning six Pro Bowl selections, and securing All-Pro honors five times. The 2013 first-round draft pick's return date this season is unknown.
During an interview on PHLY Sports, former Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, who retired after the 2025 season, offered puzzling comments regarding Johnson's absence.
"This Lane stuff, man, it's just killing me, because it's like, come on, Lane, like we need you," Graham said in a video that has gone viral on social media.
"It's like I hate for you to go out like this, and I know I just hate that because man we needed him in this game."
Graham did not explicitly state that Johnson was contemplating immediate retirement after Week 4. He had told reporters before the season that this would likely be his final year in the league.
Johnson missed part of training camp for personal reasons, citing his aging parents as the cause, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Some on social media interpreted Graham's phrase "go out like this" as suggesting Johnson was considering retiring mid-season. To be clear, Graham said nothing of the sort. His point was that he wanted Johnson to remain active on game days to play with the team.
"I know this show last year, man, but let's go out with a bang with it," Graham said. "I just know more than what I could really say right now. But it's just like, come on, man. Like, come on, we need you in this."
The Eagles fell to the Rams 24-20, dropping to 2-2 after a second consecutive loss. Quarterback Jalen Hurts was sacked four times (with Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald not playing due to injury), threw for 92 yards and two touchdowns. The Eagles rushed for 104 yards on 27 carries and gained just 172 yards of total offense.
Graham explained that third-round pick Markel Bell, who filled in for Johnson, should not be blamed for the loss. However, not having Johnson on the field limited the play calling for offensive coordinator Sean Mannion.
"But I'm just saying, like, it makes the coach not want to call certain stuff if you don't have most of your guys in there, especially on the O line," Graham said.
The Eagles will next play the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars on the road in Week 5.
Originally reported by yahoo.