Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson’s still waiting on his B sample to be tested, so technically he’s not yet suspended 10 games for a second PED violation.
But he also knows what’s coming, and that has put a cloud over his entire preseason.
Via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Johnson said the hardest part is proceeding with the preseason knowing he’s facing a lengthy absence from the team.
“Mentally, it’s probably the toughest thing, when you’re going to be out there going through the motions, and you’re not going to be [starting the season] with the team,” he said. “It’s hard to go, hard to do.”
Johnson admits taking the supplement which triggered his positive test “all summer,” though he regrets putting too much faith in the AEGIS Shield app, which scans labels for banned substances. The NFLPA suggest using it, though it can only warn about listed ingredients, rather than actual contents of supplements. The NSF’s “certified for sport” program tests ingredients, but Johnson said most supplements aren’t certified that way.
“To be honest, I put all my trust in the AEGIS Shield,” Johnson said. “Maybe it reflects on me, but I do feel players are misled on that. What’s the purpose of the app, if it does nothing to protect the players?”
Now, the Eagles are forced to protect themselves. They acknowledged the Johnson situation, and have begun giving backup Allen Barbre snaps with the first team to prepare for what seems inevitable.
