Update II: Wes Welker’s Suspension Stands, And He’s Upset

Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Wes Welker was suspended for the first four games of the season on Tuesday evening, and despite reports from Mike Klis of the Denver Post that the Broncos hadn’t heard anything from the league, Welker’s suspension was upheld.

Involuntarily, Welker will be able to get himself right for the next five weeks before returning the sixth of October when the Broncos take on Eric Decker and the New York Jets. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Welker, who was taken out of the Broncos’ preseason game against the Houston Texans with a concussion, his third in 10 months.

Welker, in a statement via e-mail to the Denver Post, was pretty miffed about the suspension. He feels as though he was wrongfully accused.

"“I’m as shocked as everyone at todays news,” Welker said in an e-mail to The Denver Post. “I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I would NEVER 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 want any youth football players and all sports fans to know, there are NO shortcuts to success, and nothing but hard work and studying, leads to success.“I have never been concerned with the leagues performance enhancing or drug abuse policies because under no scenario would they ever apply to me, but I now know, that (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.“I have worked my whole life to be the best that I can be, and I have encountered many obstacles over my career, and THIS WILL BE NO DIFFERENT!“Thank you for the outpouring of support, and I want Bronco nation to know, that no one and no thing will get in the way of our goal as a team, to bring Mr. Bowlen the trophy he and this great region deserve.”"

So, there you have it. Welker still thinks it’s ‘Bronco Nation’, so he must clearly be on something.

If you care about that sort of thing.

The Broncos will be fine without Welker, but the fact that they will have to be without him for a non-injury reason is just annoying. If the Broncos could get through one offseason without some type of arrest, suspension, or whatever else these guys are getting into off the field.

So, Welker’s suspension is upheld by the league. The Broncos will make an official transaction likely on Wednesday and will have a spot to fill on the 53-man roster.