Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker has been suspended for four games by the league for reportedly violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances.
ESPN was the first to report news of the suspension on Tuesday evening.
Sources have disclosed that the veteran receiver was excused from practice early last week to attend an appeal hearing.
Welker did not win that appeal and ProFootballTalk.com tweeted that sources have said he took a substance laced with amphetamines while at the Kentucky Derby last May.
The 33-year-old was seen at the event handing out $100 bills to strangers. He gave out $600 total and was then asked by security to move along. It was later reported that he was overpaid at Churchill Downs.
During the preseason, the wideout suffered a concussion, the third of his career, in a game against the Houston Texans. He has been going through the protocol, but was not yet cleared by doctors to play.
While the Broncos may not have expected to have him for Week 1, the team was hoping to have him back for the weeks following. Now, however, he will be out for the first four games when Denver takes on Indianapolis, Kansas City, Seattle and Arizona.