![\"Fred](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/01kcq172cc8gmr571m1p.jpg\" "\\"Fred")
<\/p>\nEagles right tackle Fred Johnson did not appear to be participating in Wednesday’s Week 16 practice at Lincoln Financial Field. | Ed Kracz\/Eagles on SI<\/p>\n
Ask him, and he says he\u2019s playing. Most players will say that, until the doctors chime in. So, if Fred can\u2019t go, it will be Matt Pryor, because Lane Johnson still isn\u2019t practicing, nearly five weeks after suffering a Lisfranc injury.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been around the league long enough to know that anything can happen in a game in any season,\u201d said Pryor. \u201cInjuries happen, or people get dinged up a little bit, have to come out for a play or two, whatever, but I go into the week with the same preparation as always and be prepared to play any position in any situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
It hasn\u2019t been easy for him, waiting his turn, biding his time, preparing every day like he\u2019s going to start, then doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cI ain\u2019t gonna lie, it\u2019s hard,\u201d he said. \u201cI wanna play. Sitting out there not doing anything and just waiting, I hate it (waiting for) somebody getting hurt; I hate that situation, just sitting out there when you go from playing a whole year. It\u2019s the situation I\u2019m in right now, and it is what it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pryor started 15 games at guard for the Chicago Bears last year. He played 1,006 snaps. This year, after signing as a free agent with the Eagles, he\u2019s played 13 games, but just 31 snaps. When he signed, he was told he could compete to play guard.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen I got moved back to tackle,\u201d he said, \u201cbut that\u2019s how it rolls.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tyler Steen\u2019s emergence was a big reason for the move outside.<\/p>\n
\u201cSteen is a phenomenal player, so I\u2019m not surprised he\u2019s starting,\u201d said Pryor. \u201cHe\u2019s doing a great job out there. And look who we have on the line, a bunch of Pro Bowlers, so as far as that, a little surprised, but at the same time, look at our O-line, they\u2019re dominant players. So surprised, but not surprised, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n