The Eagles lost a game, and probably their right tackle for most of the rest of the season.
Perhaps that’s why Eagles tackle Lane Johnson was the last guy getting dressed, taking his time as if he knows what’s coming. He appealed his 10-game suspension for a second violation of the league’s PED policy last week, and a decision is expected later this week.
“It was eight hours of bickering back and forth and discussing league policy,” Johnson said, via Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com.. “It just felt good going in there and taking it head on. It was mainly just a conversation on the policy [the NFL has] in place. It didn’t have to do with any substances, mainly just changing the testing procedures.”
Johnson didn’t get into the specifics of his challenge, and said he let his lawyers do most of the talking. He failed a test after taking a supplement which included banned peptides, though they were not on the label of the product he took.
“We put it all on the floor,” Johnson said. “We didn’t have anything to hide. I feel like we did all we could. There wasn’t a stone left unturned.
“Man, the thing was, just face it head on. We weren’t going to be intimidated by the NFL.”
Johnson’s suspension was reported during training camp, leaving him in limbo for the first four regular-season games. But if his suspension is upheld at its current length, he wouldn’t be able to return to the team until Dec. 22.