Lane Johnson Facing Suspension For Taking Approved Substance
Former fourth overall pick Lane Johnson is set to appeal a 10-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs
A Philadelphia Eagles offensive line that is already stretched thin could be taking a major hit this season. Starting right tackle Lane Johnson is facing a 10-game suspension after testing positive for a performance enhancing drug.
Johnson is appealing the suspension, and has reportedly told people in text messages that “All was good,” according to 94.1 WIP in Philadelphia.
Lane Johnson facing 10-game suspension: https://t.co/F31ksIr12L (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/RFf7TvkMe3
— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2016
Johnson and his agent have told people that he took no banned substance. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, who helped Johnson train in MMA to keep up with the Chip Kelly offense, said Johnson reached out to him and said he thought the substance he took was approved.
"Just heard from Lane Johnson, says he took an amino acid that was approved but tested positive for peptide. Fighting it as well as company. You’re responsible for what goes in your body but he insists it was approved. Waiting on B sample"
The NFLPA has a list of banned substances on its’ website, and peptide is not one of them.
If Johnson has an argument, this is the one.
Major League Baseball, the International Olympic Committee, and the NCAA have all banned peptide.
Philadelphia recently gave Lane Johnson a new contract worth $56,260,000 through the 2021 season. He is expected to be moved to left tackle once veteran Jason Peters retires, but is cemented as the right tackle for the 2016 season.
Worth noting re: Lane Johnson, per his contract, a suspension would void the guaranteed money in the 5-year extension he signed in January.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 9, 2016
Without Johnson, the Eagles are treading in some murky waters on the offensive line. While they signed Brandon Brooks and Stefen Wisniewski to free agent contracts, the tackle position is one they have been struggling with for some time.
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Matt Tobin and Dennis Kelly will most likely get the first shot, while fifth round pick
out of TCU has an outside chance as he continues to develop.
Pro Football Focus ranked Johnson the 22nd best offensive tackle in football, although he has played at a much higher level than that. He was their best lineman last season, and is incredibly reliable in the run game.
A possible free agent replacement could be former first overall pick Jake Long, who declined to sign an injury waiver with the Baltimore Ravens last week. Outside of Long, the options are not reliable.
With Johnson and Peters coming into camp as the tackles, the team planned on Jason Kelce returning at center, free agent prize Brooks as the stonewall right guard, and Allen Barbre at left guard. Wisniewski has gotten reps at both guard and center, but is most likely a back-up to Kelce.