The NFL announced on Tuesday that Denver Broncos’ wide receiver Wes Welker has been suspended for the first four games of the 2014 season for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing substances.

According to FoxSports.com, the team has been aware of the fact that Welker could be suspended since Training Camp, but were holding out hope that the wide receiver would win his appeal.

Welker failed his drug test after taking ecstacy laced with amphetamines while at the Kentucky Derby, according to ProFootballTalk.com. That was the same event where a cashier mistakenly overpaid the wide receiver $15,000 in winnings and he proceeded to hand out $100 dollar bills as he left Churchill Downs.

John Fox, the Denver Broncos’ coach, said in a statement:

The news regarding Wes is very disappointing for our team, but we understand the league’s authority in this area. While it’s unfortunate to not have him start the year, I have full confidence in our wide receivers and expect that group to continue playing at a high level.

The suspension isn’t such a horrible thing considering the 33-year old suffered his third concussion in less than a year on Aug. 23 and, even though he was scheduled to returned to practice this week, it was never completely clear as to whether he’d be able to return in time for the season opener against the Colts. He will have the next four weeks to recover from the injury and make sure he’s as close to, if not 100% when Week 5 comes around.

This suspension means that the Broncos will be out two players for the first games of the season. The kicker, Matt Prater, was also suspended for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

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