Report: Lane Johnson Facing 10 Game Suspension For PEDs
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Lane Johnson will be suspended for the first 10 games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs, according to Darren DeGaetano.
I have been told Lane Johnson will be suspended 10 games for PED violation. His 2nd offense. #Eagles
— Darren DeGaetano (@DarrenDegaetano) August 9, 2016
DeGaetano joined the 94WIP Morning Show on Wednesday to discuss his report.
94WIP's Howard Eskin confirmed the report.
The report is correct #Eagles RT Lane Johnson suspended 10 games for PED use. @FOX29philly @SportsRadioWIP
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) August 9, 2016
If Johnson is suspended for 10 games, he would be eligible to return on November 28th against the Green Bay Packers.
According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Johnson is appealing the suspension.
#Eagles OT Lane Johnson is facing a 10-game PED suspension, source said (as @DarrenDegaetano reported). He's appealing. Would be a bad blow
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2016
"If he appeals it, I don't think they are going to wipe out the whole suspension," Eskin said on Tuesday's 94WIP Josh Innes Show.
This is Johnson's second offense. He was suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season. A third violation would result in a two-year suspension.
Re: Lane Johnson, worth noting:
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 9, 2016
1st PED suspension = 4 games.
2nd = 10 games.
3rd = At least 2 years.
According to 94WIP's Glen Macnow, winning an appeal would be extremely unlikely for Johnson.
By my math (may not be perfect) 48 NFL players got "substance" suspensions in 2015-16. One was overturned. So odds are against Lane Johnson.
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) August 9, 2016
In 2014, when Johnson was suspended, he said "I mistakenly and foolishly put a prescribed medication in my body to help with a medical issue. I mistakenly failed to clear it with Eagles trainers and check the NFL list of banned substances. I am extremely sorry for this mistake and I will learn from it and be smarter in the future."
According to reports, Lane Johnson has responded to text messages denying the reports.
Lane Johnson just responded to text message and said that "all was good," and denied report he's been suspended for 10 games for PED use.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) August 9, 2016
Welp, texting with Lane Johnson, who just said he was asleep and "nothing is going on." I am puzzled.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) August 9, 2016
Eskin continued to stand by his report, telling Josh Innes that someone inside the Eagles organization told him when asked if Johnson's suspension is true, "Yes, 10 games for PED supplement."
Former Eagles president Joe Banner points out that Johnson's suspension is good for the Browns. The Browns own the Eagles' first-round pick next year and second-round pick in 2018, thanks to the Carson Wentz trade.
Lane Johnson suspension is bad news for Eagles, but great news for Browns. Value Browns got in trade for Wentz just went up.
— Joe Banner (@JoeBanner13) August 9, 2016
ESPN's Field Yates reports if the suspension is true, Johnson will void the guaranteed money in his new contract. Johnson signed a five-year extension worth $56 million and $35 million guaranteed this offseason.
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
This doesn't mean Johnson can't make the $35.5M in guaranteed money, just means it's not guaranteed anymore. https://t.co/r1ChzuEXfK
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 9, 2016
Former Eagles safety, now scout, Brian Dawkins tweeted this message.
— Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) August 9, 2016
Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that he spoke with Johnson.
Just heard from Lane Johnson, says he took an amino acid that was approved but tested positive for (cont) https://t.co/xLlcLmOweU
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) August 9, 2016
"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."
NFL reporter Ben Allbright joined the 94WIP Josh Innes Show and said that Lane Johnson's side "expects an exoneration."
"[Johnson] asked around if it was approved and was told OK, and took it," Allbright said. "So he admitted to taking it. His sample B has not come back yet on that test, so he is facing a 10 game suspension -- he has not officially been suspended yet. He is facing a 10 game suspension, of which he would appeal."
.@AllbrightNFL tells the @JoshInnesShow that "Lane Johnson's side fully expects an exoneration." https://t.co/ShRN810RLk
— SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) August 9, 2016
94WIP's and CSNPhilly's Reuben Frank provides us with the Eagles' depth, or lack thereof, at tackle.
Eagles backup offensive tackles: Dennis Kelly, Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner, Dillon Gordon, Halapoulivaati Vaitai & possibly LG Allen Barbre.
— Reuben Frank (@RoobNBCS) August 9, 2016
On Tuesday afternoon, Johnson's agent released a statement regarding the report.
Johnson, 26, is entering his fourth NFL season. Johnson was the Eagles' No. 4 overall selection in the 2013 draft.