NFL Hands Down Suspension to Broncos Derek Wolfe

The NFL handed down multiple suspensions Friday afternoon, one of which was received by Broncos starting defensive end Derek Wolfe. The league suspended Wolfe for the first four games of the 2015 NFL season for a violation of the leagues’ performance enhancing drug policy. Wolfe was the Broncos second round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

DE Derek Wolfe suspended four games for violation of league’s policy on performance enhancing substances: http://t.co/t0mCwjiJhF

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) July 24, 2015

Wolfe and the NFL Players Association released a statement, defending the 25-year old defensive end. Wolfe claims he did not know the substance he was taking was not accepted by the NFL.

"“Please allow me to offer my most sincere apology to everyone in the Broncos organization, and especially to my teammates and our fans,” Wolfe said. “During the off-season I took a medication which is on the banned substance list.  The medication is not a substance which would enhance my on-field performance in any way, and I genuinely was unaware that it was prohibited, but players are responsible for what is in their bodies. I will certainly exercise far greater caution in the future and will seek advice relating to the permissibility of any and all medications.“I’m very disappointed that I can’t help my team for the first four weeks of the season, but I look forward to a great season with the Broncos and can’t wait to get back on the field in week five.”"

Wolfe will miss matchups against the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lion, and Minnesota Vikings to start the Broncos 2015 season. Wolfe will be eligible to play against het Oakland Raiders in Week 5.

The Broncos will be left with scraps to replace Wolfe early on. They have former Chief Vance Walker on the roster and two rookies from this years draft in sixth round pick Darius Kilgo and UDFA Josh Watson.

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