Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson talks with guard Tyler Steen on the line of scrimmage. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Eagles suffer first notable injury running the tush push amid controversy

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Sep 25, 2025 8:02 AM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles’ notorious “tush push” play has finally claimed a player to injury.

Eagles tackle Lane Johnson suffered a stinger while running the play during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Johnson left the game and did not return.

The star tackle does, however, expect to be able to play in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Lane Johnson suffered his stinger injury on the #Eagles’ first tush push of their opening series vs. the Rams, from what I understand, not on the second, touchdown-scoring one.

It’s the first notable injury the Eagles have had executing the play. As Johnson told me after the…
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 24, 2025

Critics of the tush push have argued that the play is more likely than most to cause injuries, but that has not been backed up by data. Those same critics might seize on this, though this is the first time something like this has happened and the injury does not appear to be a serious one.

The Eagles’ use of the play has once again caused controversy early in the NFL season. Part of that is because they have gotten away with a few penalties while executing it. The league fell just two votes short of banning the play last offseason, but it seems like a safe assumption that some owners will try again next year.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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