The slot receiver claims that his drink was spiked.
Denver Broncos slot receiver Wes Welker will miss the first four games of the new NFL season after being suspended for taking amphetamine.
Welker has been found to have been in breach of the league’s performance enhancing policy, but claims that he has no idea how the substance got into his system.
“I’m as shocked as everyone at todays news,” the 33-year-old told 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.”
The Broncos have been left incensed by the timing of the decision as usually suspension announcements are made on a Monday to allow the team time to make changes to their game plan.
Yet this was announced late on Tuesday, which means that they will have less time to change things ahead of the season opener with Indianapolis.
They are now without both Welker and kicker Matt Prater, who is also serving a suspension for an alcohol related violation and it could prove to be a tough start as a result.
The former New England man has been in good form since signing for Broncos in 2013, although after suffering concussion in a pre-season match with Houston on August 23 a national debate started over whether he should even continue playing.
SEE ALSO: NFL News
COMMENTS