Eagles Notes: Peters, Johnson Sidelined Again

Photo by: Jeff Fusco.

Chip Kelly said Wednesday that one contingency plan, in case Jason Peters is unable to play Sunday, is to place starting right tackle Lane Johnson at left tackle in Peters’ stead.

Johnson (knee, ankle) has maintained that he plans to play against the Saints,  though he took in practice from the sidelines alongside Peters (quad) for the second straight day.

Along with Johnson and Peters, Mychal Kendricks (hamstring), Kiko Alonso (knee), and Brandon Bair (groin) were also without helmets and pads Wednesday. Allen Barbre was back practicing after being held out Tuesday, and Byron Maxwell (quad) was seen warming up, but without a helmet.

Peters played just a handful of snaps in the Eagles’ loss at Washington in Week 4, and his status for Sunday is up in the air.

When asked how he might handle Peters’ absence against the Saints this Sunday, Kelly said the coaches have a couple of options in mind, including the aforementioned shifting of Johnson.

“[It] could be Lane at left tackle,” Kelly said. “We’ve got a couple of combinations that we can work there. We’ve just got to — today and tomorrow are our two big work days during the week, and then Friday and Saturday we’ll take a look at where we are. We’ve got four days to take a look at the combinations we can have in there, if Jason can’t go.”

Kelly said Johnson would not be used at left tackle if he doesn’t have time to practice there during the week.

Barbre, who played the entire game against Washington but missed Tuesday’s practice, will likely be available for Sunday’s matchup. Kelly said he’s been relatively happy with Barbre’s play in his first four games of the season.

“I think [Barbre], for us, has actually graded out pretty good as far as our offensive line goes,” Kelly said.

“He’s graded out a little bit better in the run game than in the passing game, but he’s been consistent.”