Broncos' Von Miller 'Shocked' by COVID-19 Diagnosis: 'Shouldn't Move Too Fast'

Denver Broncos pass-rusher Von Miller opened up about his coronavirus diagnosis Friday during an appearance on NBC's Today show.

Miller discussed how surprised he was when he learned that he tested positive for COVID-19 (h/t Jori Epstein of USA Today): "I was shocked. I've been here in Denver for about four weeks now. I've probably left the house four times. With all those four times, I never got out of the car."

Miller also stressed the importance of taking a measured approach and waiting until the right time to get things back to normal with regard to the NFL: "Whatever is safe. That would always be my first precaution, whatever we have to do to get things back to normal, that's what we should do. We shouldn't move too fast."

Miller is the second known NFL player to test positive for COVID-19 following Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen. New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was also diagnosed, but he has since recovered.

The eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time First-Team All-Pro divulged Friday that he got tested after developing a cough. Miller said it started as a "simple cough" that progressively "got worse."

Miller is asthmatic and used his nebulizer, but he had an inkling something was wrong when it didn't give him the type of relief it usually does.

The Super Bowl 50 champion and MVP noted that his symptoms are only mild, however, and that he is feeling better.

Miller, 31, is coming off a 2019 season that saw him record eight sacks, 46 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 20 quarterback hits. While Miller was named to the Pro Bowl, the eight sacks were the second-lowest total of his career.

In nine NFL seasons, Miller has reached double-digit sacks seven times, including a career-high 18.5 in 2012, which was his second NFL campaign.

Miller's 106 career sacks are already the most in Broncos history, which is no small feat considering some of the great pass-rushers that have played in Denver over the years, including Simon Fletcher, Karl Mecklenburg, Trevor Pryce, Elvis Dumervil and Rulon Jones.

The Broncos have missed the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, but they improved to 7-9 last season and there is some excitement surrounding the team because of the progression of quarterback Drew Lock, who was a second-round pick last year.

Defense is still Denver's hallmark, though, and Miller is set to lead the way again in 2020 provided his recovery continues to move in the right direction. 

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports. In this episode, MLB outfielder Dexter Fowler.