Kelly: New drug rules won't reduce Lane Johnson suspension

Chip Kelly confirmed that tackle Lane Johnson was unlikely to have his four-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs reduced if the NFL and players agree upon new drugs rules.

There have been various reports that players like Browns receiver Josh Gordon and Broncos receiver Wes Welker would have their suspensions reduced under the new rules. But those players were suspended for using "street" drugs, while Johnson was punished for taking a banned drug, he said, was prescribed by a doctor.

"From what I understand, it's the substance abuse guys that fell into ... the PED category," Kelly said on Friday.

Johnson, who is one game into his suspension, has been training in Texas. He will be eligible to play on Oct. 5 when the Eagles host the Rams. Allen Barbre started in his place at right tackle in the opener, but he suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Andrew Gardner is expected to start at right tackle Monday night at the Colts.

--Kelly also confirmed that he hired a former official to help out with replays and challenges on game days. The Eagles reportedly hired Frank Kosman, a former ACC senior replay official, who is also a Philadelphia resident.

"Just want to get better at every aspect," Kelly said. "I analyze everything after the season and how do we improve upon the year before. I just thought that was the right way to go."

Asked if the addition would free up offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Kelly said there had been a misconception that Shurmur was solely responsible for challenges.

"Pat talked to me cause he's on the headset with me," Kelly said. "Pat wasn't the guy making the decision."

Kelly also wanted to clear up what replays coaches can see in the booth, particularly on the road.

"We don't get the same feed all the time that the people on TV get," Kelly said. "When you get, 'Hey, you should have challenged that because on TV they got that,' we're governed by the feed we get in the box. There's been some games when I've asked, 'Should we challenge it?' And our guys say we haven't seen a replay yet. And it always seems like it happens on the road."

Kelly said it happened in two games last season when he wanted to challenge but couldn't because his assistants hadn't seen a replay.

-- Gardner and Dennis Kelly (left guard) are expected to start in place of the injured Barbre and Evan Mathis, but Kelly didn't rule out the recently-signed Wade Smith from being ready by Monday.

"If we're going to play Wade, I think dealing with Wade the last two or three days, he's got a real good grasp of what we're trying to do," Kelly said. "He's a highly intelligent football player."

--Kelly confirmed that receiver Brad Smith was his emergency quarterback when the Eagles dress only two quarterbacks on game day.