Welker is banned for the first month of the 2014 regular season because of a positive test. Several reports say he tested positive for amphetamines. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported Welker took MDMA, a banned substance, that was laced with amphetamines at the Kentucky Derby in May.
According to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the Broncos “have known about Welker’s suspension” since before training camp and were “holding out hope” it would be turned over on appeal. Five days before the season is to kick off at home for them against Indianapolis, we know that’s no longer an option.
Welker released a statement to The Devner Post late Tuesday. An excerpt:
“I’m as shocked as everyone at today’s news. I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I would NEVER (emphasis Welker’s) knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way. Anyone who has ever played a down with me, lifted a weight with me, even eaten a meal with me, knows that I focus purely on what I put in my body and on the hard work I put in year round to perform at the highest levels year-in and year-out . . . I now know, that (the NFL’s drug-policy procedures) are clearly flawed, and I will do everything in my power to ensure they are corrected, so other individuals and teams aren’t negatively affected so rashly like this.”
Welker was recently cleared from a late preseason concussion and was on track to play Week 1 before facing this forced setback out of the lineup for multiple weeks.
There’s a perception that Welker is a vital part of the Broncos’ passing game. He is, to a degree. He scored 10 touchdowns in 13 games in his first season with Peyton Manning, but it came with big drops in catches (73) and yards (778) from his best New England Patriots days.
Welker, 33, can be replaced, and so will his production. This just means an uptick for Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas as Manning’s red zone passing threats. Emmanuel Sanders will be the No. 2 wideout Manning relies upon all over the field, and was ahead of Welker in the pecking order, too.
Rookie Cody Latimer may not be quite ready as a No. 4 and is better suited for the outside, but Andre Caldwell will continue to be a good utility man to get Welker’s slot work. The Broncos can also compensate by getting second tight end Jacob Tamme more on the field with Thomas.
Welker needed more to stay on the field to hold his ground in this crowded receiving corps considering his age and him being a free agent again in 2015. The diminished returns already were there, and the Broncos are in good shape without him. His suspension just further clouds Welker’s NFL playing future beyond ‘14 — on top of the multiple head injuries.
