Eagles offensive line injuries provides opportunity for Chiefs pass rush

Sep 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) prepare to block against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) prepare to block against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs pass rush has yet to show up in any real way so far in the 2021 season. Given the losses up front along the offensive line for the Philadelphia Eagles, however, they might have a real shot at disrupting the quarterback in Week 4.

The Eagles learned before the game that starting right tackle Lane Johnson will be inactive for the game, due to personal matter. Before the game, it was also clear that starting left tackle Jordan Mailata was also going to miss his second consecutive game to injury. That leaves the Eagles thinner up front than expected (and they were already dealing with injuries to the likes of Brandon Brooks, and Jack Driscoll will start for the first time in ’21 on Sunday.

All of this gives the Chiefs a real chance at taking advantage of mismatches on the edge against the Eagles, but Chiefs Kingdom already thought this in Week 2 when the Baltimore Ravens were set to be without Ronnie Stanley. Instead of taking advantage, the Ravens decimated line completely dominated the Chiefs pass rush.

The Eagles decimated line gives the Chiefs pass rush some hope.

So far in the 2021 season, the Chiefs have a total of four sacks through three games. Chris Jones has two and MIke Danna and Daniel Sorensen have one apiece. There are multiple players who have had more than that in a single game so far in the ’21 season and we’re only three games in.

Even after three weeks, the Chris Jones experiment is a mixed bag outside at defensive end, while Frank Clark has played in only one game (and he’s set to miss this week as well with a hamstring injury).

Preseason growth from Turk Wharton hasn’t really translated to regular season impact, and Jarran Reed’s signing has netted the team very little up front. Alex Okafor looks like he’s aged considerably, and Khalen Saunders isn’t getting any real push either.

Perhaps the Chiefs can grow into something with more time as a unit. It is, after all, only three weeks into a long year and there are plenty of young players up front. Reed is trying out a new team for the first time, and we knew all along that Jones would need time to adjust outside. Given Clark’s absence as well due to injury, it’s not as if the line has been working in peak conditions.

Here are the rest of the Eagles inactives:

  • Gardner Minshew, QB
  • Mac McCain, CB
  • Lane Johnson, OL
  • Jordan Mailata, OL,
  • Marlon Tuipulotu, DL

dark. Next. Five Chiefs who can help themselves the most