Yahoo Sports Lane Johnson re-joins Eagles after personal leave, says he's dealt with depression, anxiety
Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson is returning to the team after addressing his mental health during a two-week personal leave, he said on Twitter on Monday.
Johnson has missed the last three games for what the team said was a personal matter. He said on social media he has dealt with depression and anxiety at points during his life.
— Lane Johnson (@LaneJohnson65) October 18, 2021
Johnson, 31, wrote on Twitter:
"I would like to thank everyone for their understanding and support over the last two weeks. I appreciate the positive notes and messages as I've worked hard to restore my personal life. Depression and anxiety are things I've dealt with for a long time and have kept hidden from my friends and family. If you're reading this and struggling, please know that you are not alone.
"I am excited to re-join my teammates and coaches. I'm grateful for the entire Eagles community and look forward to continuing to play in front of the best fans in the world!"
Johnson has referenced mental health in the past. During the Eagles' Super Bowl run in 2017, he noted the statistics he's heard. Via ESPN:
"We're all human. We're not monsters. I think I heard it at the combine: 50% of guys have dealt with anxiety, depression. It's not foreign. It's just something that's not talked about. It's a stigma where it's seen as a weakness. When you bring it to light, a lot of people in this world have it."
Athletes around the sports world have increasingly been open about their mental health and the need to treat it as if it were any other physical injury. Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he focused on "clearing any of the clutter" in his mind during his offseason.
Johnson's impact on Eagles
Johnson was a surprise inactive ahead of the Oct. 3 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 4. He had not been on the injury report and Jack Driscoll, his replacement for the Chiefs game, said he wasn't made aware until a few hours before kickoff.
The ninth-year veteran also missed a comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 5 and the Thursday night loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past week. The Eagles are 2-4.
Johnson started and played every offensive snap in the first three games of the season. The Eagles drafted the fourth overall in the 2013 NFL draft out of Oklahoma. He was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2017-19 and was named All-Pro during the Super Bowl season.
The Eagles are 39-23-1 with Johnson in the lineup and 9-20 without him in it.
