For as complicated as the substance-abuse policy can be regarding the number of violations that result in the various durations of suspensions, the PED policy is a lot more clear and simple. For the first positive test for a masking agent or an anabolic agent, the player is suspended four games. For a second offense of any kind, a 10-game suspension applies. For a third offense, the player receives a minimum banishment of 24 months.
If his appeal of a potential 10-game suspension fails, Eagles tackle Lane Johnson becomes a rare recipient of a 10-game suspension under the PED policy. Which likewise would put him in the unusual circumstance of facing a banishment for two consecutive calendar years.
Yes, information about the proposed suspension never should have been leaked to the media. (Once again, the league’s in-house media company has committed a per se violation of the PED policy’s confidentiality provision by reporting on the situation, and no one seems to care.) And, yes, the claim that the player at worst took a supplement containing a banned substance extends the streak of players who were ensnared for something other than affirmatively cheating. Regardless, if Johnson’s appeal (which will be held before a panel of arbitrators) doesn’t succeed, he’ll be one more slip-up away from saying farewell to football for at least two straight years.
For the Eagles, a suspension would invalidate all remaining guaranteed in his contract, giving the Eagles the ability to move on from Johnson if it turns out that the player can’t perform as well as anticipated by using approved supplements or none at all.
