Rookie Markel Bell Expected to Take Over Right Tackle After Lane Johnson Retires

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to turn to rookie Markel Bell at right tackle following Lane Johnson’s mid-season retirement, thrusting a third-round draft pick into the biggest hole on one of the league’s most battered offensive lines.

Bell, a 6-foot-9, 346-pound rookie out of Miami, started in Johnson’s place in Sunday’s 24-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams after Johnson was ruled out 90 minutes before kickoff for personal reasons, USA Today reported. Bell figures to continue in the role moving forward, according to the report, while RealGM’s wiretap called him the most likely option to hold the job for the rest of the season.

The team has not officially named Bell the permanent starter, and his debut drew mixed reviews, but Johnson himself vouched for the rookie in August, calling him one of the best rookies he had seen.

The history shows how much is at stake. The Eagles are 122-63-1 with Johnson in the lineup, playoffs included, and just 18-30 without him since drafting him fourth overall in 2013, USA Today reported.

The uncertainty extends beyond right tackle. Cam Jurgens entered the concussion protocol Monday after self-reporting symptoms, and his status for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London is uncertain, NBC Sports Philadelphia reported. If Jurgens cannot play, second-year lineman Willie Lampkin would likely start at left guard.

Landon Dickerson remains on injured reserve and is eligible to return after Week 5, while swing tackle Fred Johnson has missed two straight games with a knee injury. Jordan Mailata and Tyler Steen could be the only opening-day starters left standing up front.

The timing is unforgiving. The Jaguars defense is allowing 13.3 points per game, the second-best mark in the NFL, PhillyVoice reported, and Philadelphia managed only 172 yards of offense against the Rams.