Doug Pederson Thinking Of Plan B If Lane Johnson Is Suspended
PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS) — When it was made public on Tuesday, Lane Johnson told some in the media he had no idea what they were talking about, while admitting to Jay Glazer that something may be up.
Tuesday is when a report came out saying Eagles' starting right tackle Lane Johnson, a key cog in any of the Eagles' hopes this season, could be facing a 10-game suspension for testing positive for PEDs for a second time, though nothing is conclusive.
When it came time for Johnson to face the media after the Eagles' 17-9 preseason win over Tampa Bay on Thursday night at Lincoln Financial Field, the big tackle was nowhere to be found.
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Johnson left it up to Eagles' first-year head coach Doug Pederson to face the media about Johnson's possible suspension.
Pederson said he already has a Plan B in place.
"I have to anticipate that there's a chance (the suspension will be upheld)," he said. "It would be smart on my part to have a plan B if that's the case."
Pederson went on to say he will meet with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland next week and go over the options. Looking outside the organization doesn't appear to be one of them.
"Matt Tobin's done a nice job filling in for Jason Peters (at left tackle) and he continues to get better," Pederson said. "If Lane's not there, there's Dennis Kelly and Big V (Halapoulivaati Vaitai) over there and I know Allen Barbre has played some tackle in the past. There are some combinations that can be worked out to make this thing go. We're still in training camp mode and we have time to figure those out."
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Johnson left before the media was allowed in the locker room after Thursday's game.
"If it's upheld, then we have to be prepared to make some moves," Pederson said. "Until it happens we go full steam. But at the same time we know we have to be smart about it, to have people ready to go if it is upheld."
When asked why he choose not to discuss off-the-field matters, Pederson replied, "These guys are professional. I talk to the team. When and if I talk to these guys individually it's obviously a private matter. But at the same time, they're grown men and I have to treat them like grown men. If something like this happens it's unfortunate. Sometimes you learn the hard way. We'll cross that bridge when that time comes."
