Lane Johnson's 10-game Suspension Upheld by Arbitrator
- by Emilio Sims
- in Money
- — Oct 12, 2016
The NFL informed the team Monday that Johnson will be suspended for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancing substances.
"We are disappointed with Arbritrator James Carter's summary ruling". We will wait for his formal written opinion. Upon reviewing that, "we will consider all available legal options".
The Eagles plan to start rookie Halapoulivaati Vaitai at right tackle against the Redskins this week.
He previously served a four-game ban in 2014 for using a banned medication that he said he had a prescription for, but that he never checked with Eagles trainers or doctors. In the short-term, Johnson will miss the next 10 games of Philadelphia's 2016 schedule.
The starting right tackle must stay away from the premises until he is eligible to return to the active roster on December 19. "His actions have affected the entire organization", Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. According to a statement from an National Football League spokesperson, he will be eligible to return to the roster Monday, Dec. 19, following the Eagles' game at Baltimore.
"It was eight hours of bickering back and forth and discussing league policy", Johnson said.
Johnson's attorneys announced the news in a brief statement after learning the official decision Tuesday morning.
"For the players, I feel like there needs to be more coverage", Johnson said during training camp.
As for what the next 10 weeks look like for Johnson, he is now forced to stay away from the NovaCare Complex and is forbidden from having contact with the organization or coaching staff.
Looking at the makeup of the division right now, the final game of the season against the Cowboys could be a very important one: the Cowboys are currently 4-1, and the Eagles are currently 3-1.
Whichever direction the Eagles go, they will need to make sure they have a tight end or running back get a chip block on the opposing team's left defensive end or outside lienbacker. "It just felt good to go in there and kind of take it on, head-on, and confront them".
Remember this offseason when the Eagles signed Johnson to a five-year contract extension with more than $35 million guaranteed?
But the Eagles like the fact that replacing Johnson with Vaitai only affects the Eagles at one position instead of two.
