Derek Wolfe Suspended 4 Games for PEDs: Latest Details and Reaction

The Denver Broncos defense will be without edge-rusher Derek Wolfe for four games to start 2015, as he violated the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.   

Andrew Mason of the Broncos' official website reported Wolfe's suspension Friday, noting the 25-year-old will not be eligible to rejoin the team until October 5 after the team's fourth game against the Minnesota Vikings. 

Wolfe issued a statement, included in Mason's report, apologizing to the Broncos and explaining why his test turned up positive:

"

During the offseason I took a medication which is on the banned substance list. The medication is not a substance which would enhance my on-field performance in any way and I genuinely was unaware that it was prohibited, but players are responsible for what is in their bodies.

I will certainly exercise far greater caution in the future and will seek advice relating to the permissibility of any and all medications.

"

ESPN's Ed Werder noted Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is "disappointed" and points to Vance Walker as a possible replacement.

ESPN's Andrew Brandt cited this as another example of the NFL's strict enforcement rules:

Losing Wolfe for four games does hurt Denver's pass rush, though Mason did note Malik Jackson played more snaps than Wolfe in 2014 and was the fourth-ranked 4-3 defensive end by Pro Football Focus metrics. 

The problem is the Broncos aren't as deep as they have been. Their offense still looks solid, but quarterback Peyton Manning is 39 and struggled down the stretch last year. He's playing behind a young, rebuilt offensive line. 

That will put more pressure on the defense to perform, which isn't a bad thing with Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Shane Ray going after the quarterback. Depth is always a concern for every NFL team, so losing Wolfe, who has 11.5 sacks in three seasons, for four games is a blow for Denver heading into 2015.