Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker has been suspended for the first four games of the 2014 NFL season. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the suspension comes as a result of a failed test for amphetamines.
Filed to ESPN: Broncos WR Wes Welker has been suspended four games for use of amphetamines, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2014
Pro Football Talk reported that Welker’s suspension was triggered because the 33-year-old receiver took MDMA (also known as “Molly”) that was cut with amphetamines at the Kentucky Derby back in May. According to PFT, pure MDMA, a banned substance under the substance-abuse policy, would not have resulted in a four-game suspension but amphetamines, banned under the PED policy, does.
Welker, who caught 73 passes for 778 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games last season, will miss games against the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks (on the road) and Arizona Cardinals. He would be unable to return to the team until Week 6.
The Broncos were already without kicker Matt Prater for the first four games of the season because he violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Now, free-agent acquisition Emmanuel Sanders and rookie Cody Latimer will be called on to step up in Welker’s absence.
