Denver Broncos 2014 Schedule, Training Camp & Roster News: Wes Welker Suspended Four Games, Can Team Survive Without Him?

By Damon Salvadore Sep 04 2014, 11:42 AM EDT

It has been reported that Wes Welker has been suspended by the National Football League for four games for testing positive of amphetamines.

Welker denies taking any banned substance, but he does think it was a possibility that someone tampered with his drink at this year's Kentucky Derby. Regardless of how the substance got into Welker's body, he will not be playing in the team's first four games.

Welker will miss games against (in order) the Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos do have a bye week in Week 4, so Welker will not be returning until Week 6 against the New York Jets.

Since becoming a full time starter, Welker has led the NFL in receptions and has been the best short range slot receiver in the league. Welker isn't a deep threat, but he's the best at what he does -- catch a lot balls for short yardage and move the chains.

So how much will this hurt the Broncos?

In all honesty, not as much as you may think.

The Broncos are still led by the five time NFL Most Valuable Player, Peyton Manning. Welker caught 73 balls and had 778 yards last season, his fewest since he was with the Miami Dolphins in 2006. Still, the Broncos captured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with 13 wins and their offensive was the best in league history.

Manning won't have Welker until Week 6, but the addition of Emmanuel Sanders will make up for his absence. Welker has suffered three concussions in the last 10 months, so the Broncos knew there was a good chance they were going to have to play without him for a certain period of time.

You might even be able to argue this was a blessing in disguise for the Broncos. Welker recently suffered a concussion in the preseason against the Houston Texans, and he (nor the team or the NFL) had no intentions of sitting out the beginning of the regular season. The Broncos and team president John Elway can at least see their offense in action for four consecutive games without Welker, evaluating his true value.

The Broncos' schedule is very favorable to begin the season, as they play three of the first four games at home. They host games at Mile High against the Chiefs, Colts and Cardinals. Most likely the Broncos will win all three of those games.

The lone road game will be Week 3 against the Seahawks in a rematch of the Super Bowl. With or without Welker, the Broncos probably weren't going to win that game in Seattle anyway.