49ers Get Major Lane Johnson Injury News Before Eagles Playoff Game

The San Francisco 49ers may be catching a timely break in the trenches ahead of Sunday’s NFC wild-card matchup at Philadelphia.

Lane Johnson’s injury status is officially bad news, according to Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jeff McLane, who said Lane Johnson will be officially inactive against the 49ers. 

McLane added that Johnson did not come out early to test the foot, and that he was limited all week but still had pain as of Saturday, per a source.

If that holds, Fred Johnson is again expected to start at right tackle, what would be his eighth straight start filling in for Lane Johnson.

McLane’s Lane Johnson update puts spotlight on 49ers’ pressure plan

Lane Johnson is one of the league’s most accomplished right tackles, and the timing is significant: Philadelphia is hosting the 49ers on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. ET.

Johnson has missed the Eagles’ last seven games after suffering a Lisfranc injury in mid-November against the Detroit Lions, and while he returned to practice this week, his availability has remained a true game-day storyline.

That context matters for San Francisco because it can shape how defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (or the 49ers’ defensive staff) chooses to attack protections, especially in obvious passing situations.

Key details (fast scan)

• Report: Jeff McLane says Eagles “won’t have” Lane Johnson vs 49ers (foot).
• Practice: Johnson was limited all week; pain persisted Saturday, per source.
• Replacement: Fred Johnson likely starts at RT for an 8th straight game.
• Game: 49ers (12-5) at Eagles (11-6), Wild Card, 4:30 p.m. ET.

What it means for the 49ers

For the 49ers, the simplest takeaway is opportunity: an elite, long-tenured tackle potentially being replaced by a fill-in in a playoff game is the kind of matchup defensive lines try to turn into a deciding factor.

San Francisco’s sack production hasn’t been overwhelming this season by its standards, finishing with 27 team sacks in the 2025 regular season (NFL.com team defense stats). That makes any protection crack even more valuable, because the 49ers don’t necessarily need to “win” every rep, they need a handful of high-leverage pressures that flip third downs, force checkdowns, or create a turnover chance.

It also puts added weight on how Philadelphia calls the game offensively. If the Eagles are down their top right tackle (or if Johnson is active but limited), expect more help concepts: tight end chips, backs scanning to that side, quicker timing throws, and a heavier dose of the run game with Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts to keep the rush honest.

Stats, schedule & context for 49ers vs. Eagles

This one already had plenty of edge, San Francisco enters as the No. 6 seed at 12-5, while Philadelphia is the No. 3 seed at 11-6.

There’s also a potential environmental layer. Forecast chatter in Philadelphia included wind gusts that could impact the passing and kicking games, which can amplify the importance of line play even more.

Bottom line for 49ers fans: keep an eye on the official inactives, but McLane’s reporting is the clearest signal yet that Lane Johnson’s return might have to wait, and that could be one of the defining storylines of the matchup. 

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