Lane Johnson officially returned to the NovaCare Complex today after facing a ten-game suspension and will play in Thursday’s game against the Giants. In order to make room for Johnson on the active roster however, the Eagles needed to either waive someone, or place an injured player on IR.
Roster Move: #Eagles place RB Kenjon Barner (hamstring) on Injured Reserve. T Lane Johnson has been reinstated to the active roster.
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 20, 2016
That man was Kenjon Barner, who sustained a hamstring injury in the early stages of Sunday’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Barner was expected to see a bigger role in Pederson’s committee backfield this season, but has only rushed for 129 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 attempts, with his best showing being a 42-yard game against Pittsburgh.
The move means that the only three active running backs on the roster now are Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles and undrafted rookie Byron Marshall.
For Marshall it brings an opportunity to audition for a bigger role in the Eagles Offense next season, while a wounded O-Line can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their franchise right tackle is reinstated.
