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.
DeGaetano joined the 94WIP Morning Show on Wednesday to discuss his report.
94WIP's Howard Eskin confirmed the report.
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.
"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.
According to 94WIP's Glen Macnow, winning an appeal would be extremely unlikely for Johnson.
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.
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.
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.
Former Eagles safety, now scout, Brian Dawkins tweeted this message.
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 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."
94WIP's and CSNPhilly's Reuben Frank provides us with the Eagles' depth, or lack thereof, at tackle.
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.
