Lane Johnson Comments on Failed Drug Test, NFLPA

Following the news that Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson would reportedly be suspended for the first 10 games of the 2016 season thanks to a positive drug test, the 2013 first-round pick lashed out at the NFL Players Association. Darren DeGaetano of WIP Philly was the first to report the potential ban, and it was later confirmed by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who added that Johnson is appealing.According to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, Johnson believes he was wronged by the NFLPA and was led to believe that a supplement he purchased would not yield a positive test:Everything I've taken has been approved by the NFLPA app. That is what every player uses. If you send it into the trainer of your team, all they do is read the labels, they do not test the products because it cost a lot of money to test each individual product. ...... I want to be clear that the NFLPA does not stand up for players. They don't check the supplements in the app, and then when you call them to ask why you tested positive for something they approved, it doesn't matter.Per Dave Zangaro of CSN Philly, the NFLPA released a statement in response to Johnson and put the burden on the player to make certain that the supplement was legal:Johnson was suspended four games in 2014 for his first offense, and while he took responsibility for that, he feels as though he's been hung out to dry the second time around, according to Shor-Parks:The first time I was at fault. There is no worse feeling then having to go through this again. It's something I desperately wanted to avoid. I learned my lesson. I feel like the players have no rights. I feel like the supplement industry is not regulated so you do not know what is in it. I know that's hard to believe coming from a second-time offender.If Johnson's 10-game suspension stands, the Eagles will be hard-pressed to replace a right tackle of his caliber.Dennis Kelly, Andrew Gardner and Matt Tobin are all possible replacement options, but none are established starters like the former Oklahoma standout.The 2015 season was a major disappointment for the Eagles, and provided they don't get solid play from the right tackle spot during the upcoming campaign, head coach Doug Pederson's first year at the helm may not be much better.Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.
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