By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor
The Philadelphia Eagles got some bad news from their offensive line on Tuesday afternoon. It looks like right tackle Lane Johnson will be suspended for 10 games for his second offense of taking performance enhancing drugs. Johnson was suspended four games in 2014 for violating the NFL's policy on PED's as well.
#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
This would be a tremendous blow for the Eagles offensive line if the reports are indeed true. Johnson signed five-year, $56 million contract this past offseason, making him the highest paid right tackle in the NFL. ESPN NFL reporter Field Yates notes that if the suspension happens, it will void the guaranteed money in the deal.
However, Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer received an apparent text response from Johnson, who is denying the report of the suspension.
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
Matt Lombardo of NJ.com received a "strong denial" about the reports of the suspension from Johnson as well.
If Johnson misses 10 games, Jason Peters' health become an even larger factor in an offensive line that already has some holes. Matt Tobin would be the likely replacement for Johnson on the offensive line. Meanwhile, Peters will not play in the Eagles preseason opener on Thursday due to a quad injury.
Johnson, 26, was selected by the Eagles fourth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma.