Eagles’ Lane Johnson suspended four games for violating NFL PED policy

The Philadelphia Eagles will be without one of the key components of their offensive line to start the first four games of the 2014 NFL season as the team has announced that second-year tackle Lane Johnson has been suspended for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The Eagles drafted Johnson with the no. 4 overall pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, a surprise move to many, given the fact that new head coach Chip Kelly was expected to take a skilled position player to help implement his new offense. Instead of going for the flash to begin his draft tenure as Eagles coach, Kelly went with protection and it paid dividends.

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Johnson came right in and started all 16 games immediately, making one of the biggest impacts on the team. His progression on the offensive line week in and week out led to the rest of the offense getting more competitive. And as we all know, that led to an NFC East title and subsequent playoff appearance in Kelly’s first season at the helm.

The team will look to make a similar run this year, but to get that journey started, they will have to do it without Johnson anchoring the offensive line for the first four games.

In a statement released just after the suspension was announced by the team and the league, Johnson issued this apology.

“I would like to sincerely apologize to Mr. Lurie, Howie Roseman, Coach Kelly and his staff, my teammates and our amazing Philadelphia Eagles fans. This will be very hard on me to not be battling with my teammates for four games – but I will be ready and better than ever when I return.”