Denver Broncos LB Von Miller will get his chance to appeal his four-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy next Thursday, August 15th.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced the news via Twitter.
Broncos LB Von Miller's appeal of 4-game suspension scheduled to be heard Aug. 15, sources tell @Jeff_Legwold and me.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 8, 2013
Miller was suspended last month and the announcement of the four-game suspension rippled through the NFL and news outlets. The 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL Defensive Player of the Year made an instant impact on a defense that needed a playmaker. Miller has 30 sacks in just two seasons with Denver since coming into the league, and was ready to put up those type of numbers again in 2013.
That was all put on hold though, and still is until the appeal is heard next Thursday. The exact details of the violation for the substance in question is not known.
Miller has tested positive for marijuana before in the past, but insists that all of that is behind him. His intention to fight the suspension is evident that he is devout in his innocence. Should the suspension be upheld, the Broncos will be without their star player on defense through September.
That includes games against each of the last two Super Bowl champions in the Ravens and Giants. A game against the Raiders in week 3 seems the easiest on paper. A week 4 matchup versus Philadelphia at home would be the last game of the suspension.
Miller would be eligible to return in Week 5 on the road against Dallas.