Lane Johnson: Alshon Jeffery Played Through Broken Ribs

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Eagles number one wide receiver Alshon Jeffery appeared on the injury reports for practice throughout the week with a rib injury, but was left off of the final report for Sunday’s game.

It turns out that the injury that limited him in practice was quite a big one – broken ribs.

Speaking after the game, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson told reporters, including Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal, that the wideout had played through the broken bones.

Lane Johnson said Alshon Jeffery played through broken ribs. #Eagles

— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) January 14, 2019

While fans might be, understandably, upset with Jeffery’s final play, fans should not fault the whole season being over on him. Jeffery was a major reason that the Eagles were able to rebound and make the playoffs in the first place, racking up 351 yards and two touchdowns over the final four weeks of the regular season.

He also showed the true grit of Philadelphia for the second time in only two seasons, after he played all of the 2017 season with a torn rotator cuff.

Ignoring the Eagles final play, Jeffery had a great night, gaining more yards than any player on the Eagles offense not named Nick Foles. It is also not entirely the fault of Jeffery that the Eagles scored no points in the final three quarters of the game.

Some fans may choose to continue to blame the loss on Alshon, but it would be far better for both fans and the team to appreciate what he was able to do at the end of this season as well as how a team with so many injuries was able to rebound and not just make the playoffs, but advance in them.