Broncos fuming over Von Miller suspension report

Lindsay H. Jones | USA TODAY Sports

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos returned to practice Monday bracing for news of a long suspension for linebacker Von Miller, according to an ESPN report.

ESPN, citing anonymous sources, reported Miller's suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy would be at least six games — two more than was previously expected.

"There really is no 'latest,'" coach John Fox said after practice. "We're aware of reports, but sometimes, it's erroneous, because we'd probably find out before other people."

The NFL has not announced any punishment for Miller, but a possible suspension was first reported last month, just before the Broncos reported to training camp. Miller has missed only one practice of training camp — last Thursday, while he met with union officials after an appeal hearing with the NFL was postponed.

Miller was at Monday's practice in his normal spot as the starting strongside linebacker. Miller declined to talk to reporters after practice, and he was escorted into the locker room by a member of the team's public relations staff.

"We don't know the suspension. There is no suspension," Fox said. "At which time there is, we'll report that. Anything else there is right now, really, is just talking heads."

A person with knowledge of Miller's situation told USA TODAY Sports last month that this suspension was not triggered by a positive test. That person confirmed that Miller had tested positive for marijuana during his rookie season of 2011.

That first failed test would have placed Miller in the league's drug intervention program.

According to the NFL's substance abuse policy, a player would be suspended for six games if he did not successfully complete the first phase of intervention program and had two subsequent violations while in the second phase. It is considered a violation of the policy if a player misses scheduled tests or provides a sample that is diluted or appears to have been tampered with.

If that is the case for Miller, he would advance to the third phase of the drug program, and would remain there for the rest of his career. He would be subject to random testing up to 10 times a month, and could be suspended for a year for either a positive test or a failure to comply by missing a test or providing a diluted urine sample.

For much of the last month, the Broncos and Miller acted confident he would not end up missing significant time. Miller's teammates believed him when he told him the trouble would pass.

Miller wrote on his now-deleted Twitter account on July 22 that he "did nothing wrong," and told reporters in Denver two days later that he would explain in detail what happened once his case was resolved. Later in July, he said he had "made mistakes" but that, "but the guy who I was yesterday is not the guy who I am today."

Miller was arrested Aug. 11 on a warrant for failure to appear in court on a traffic citation, but that incident should not affect his drug suspension.

"We'll rally around him, whether he gets off or not," linebacker Wesley Woodyard said.

Until the NFL makes an official — and public — ruling on Miller's status, the Broncos are continuing to proceed as if he will be available for the Sept. 5 season-opener against the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos also play the New York Giants, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars in the first six weeks of the season.

In the one practice Miller missed last week, Nate Irving assumed Miller's role in the base defense, while Shaun Phillips took over for Miller in pass-rush situations.

With the Broncos also dealing with the absence of defensive end Derek Wolfe (spine injury), starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (wrist) and left cornerback Champ Bailey (sprained foot), this is a defense in transition midway through the preseason.

Bailey is expected to miss several weeks of practice time, but has not yet been ruled out for the season opener.

"Those guys are irreplaceable. Champ is the best ever. Von is going to be one of the best ever," safety Rahim Moore said. "But it is next man up. That's why you have a depth chart. You hate to say that it's next man up for those two guys because they are the best players on our team, but other guys are going to have to step up."