The 2016 Eagles haven't played a game yet, and they may have already suffered a terrible loss.
Amid reports that he's facing a 10-game PED suspension, Eagles left tackle Lane Johnson first denied the reports, then told FoxSports' Jay Glazer that he took an approved substance. Per Glazer:
"Just heard from Lane Johnson, says he took an amino acid that was approved but tested positive for peptide. Fighting it as well as company. You're responsible for what goes in your body but he insists it was approved. Waiting on B sample."
Radio host Darren DeGaetano first reported the ban, which was then also reported by NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, who added Johnson plans to appeal.
In a statement released to CSNPhilly.com, Johnson's agent Ken Sarnoff strongly denied the report:
"1. We are aware that a member of the media has started a rumor that Lane Johnson will be suspended for a PED violation.
"2. Lane has not been suspended and any report to the contrary is false.
NFL
"3. Nonetheless, we will not comment on my client's protected health information."
Johnson was suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season for a PED violation. As the second violation, this suspension would be 10 games. (A third suspension would bring a two-year ban.) A league spokesperson declined to comment on the situation to CSNPhilly.com.
If Johnson is suspended for 10 games, it would obviously be a crushing blow to the Eagles' offensive line.
Johnson, 26, just signed a five-year extension worth just under $60 million, with $35 million guaranteed, this offseason. According to ESPN, a suspension would void the guaranteed money in the contract extension, meaning he could still earn the full value of contract, but none of it would be guaranteed. The contract made Johnson the highest-paid right tackle in the league and paid him as a top tackle overall. The plan is to have Johnson eventually take over at left tackle when Jason Peters walks away.
Peters struggled to stay healthy last season and is now 34. He already has a quad injury that will keep him out for the first preseason game on Thursday. Matt Tobin is the scheduled starter at left tackle in the first preseason game. That means there's a chance the starting tackles in a game this season could be Tobin and Dennis Kelly.
Aside from Tobin and Kelly, there's not much else in the way of tackle depth on the roster. Andrew Gardner, who is returning from a Lisfranc injury, has been playing tackle during this training camp after winning the right guard spot out of last year's camp. The Eagles drafted a tackle, but not until the fifth round, when they took Halapoulivaati Vaitai from TCU. Another option would be to move Allen Barbre from left guard to tackle; he's played outside before, but is a starting guard right now.
The only other players on the roster who have played tackle this camp are former practice squad member Malcolm Bunche and undrafted free agent Dillon Gordon, who is transitioning from a college tight end.