Derek Wolfe suspended four games for PED policy violation

Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe has been suspended four games for violating the league’s performance enhancing substances policy.

The team’s first player selected in the 2012 draft, No. 36 overall, Wolfe will be able to participate in the team’s training camp that begins with practice July 31, and in their preseason games but he must leave the team’s headquarters on September 4.

Specifically, Wolfe stated the violation occurred when he took medicine this low season that’s on the league’s banned substance record.

“Please allow me to offer my most honest apology to everyone in the Broncos organization, and especially to my teammates and our fans”, he wrote.

A starting defense end for the Broncos when healthy, Wolfe will be absent for an important 2015 AFC West matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and a prime-time game against the Detroit Lions.

The Broncos and NFLPA issued the statement on Wolfe’s behalf, saying he took a medication he didn’t know was on the banned list. As such, he’ll be missed during this suspension when the Broncos face Justin Forsett, Jamaal Charles and Adrian Peterson.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said he was disappointed in Wolfe, adding that someone would have to step up in the fourth-year player’s absence. Ward and outside linebackers Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and first-round pick Shane Ray to stop the run.

He had said he finally felt like himself this offseason.

Wolfe hasn’t played a true 3-4 – with three down linemen and four linebackers – since his days at the University of Cincinnati.

“I can assure you that it will never happen again”, he said.