Though it’s not clear what the NFL believes Broncos linebacker Von Miller has done, the league reportedly thinks he’s done enough to be suspended six games. To Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, it doesn’t really matter.
Manning told reporters on Tuesday that his perspective on Miller hasn’t changed in recent days.
“There’s been a lot of noise and speculation,” Manning said. “Von is one of our teammates. He’s part of the family and I certainly have his back as his teammate and I know that all of the players do and the organization does. We’ll get through this time and we support him 100 percent.”
Manning seems to also have developed no specific opinion on whether Miller will be available for Week One.
“It’s hard to get into the hypotheticals,” Manning said. “I know everybody is out there shooting for breaking news and breaking tweets, but its all hypothetical at this point. Von’s on the team right now he’s practicing. We expect him to play this Saturday. We’re looking to St. Louis Saturday and nothing really beyond that at this point.”
It’s a bit more than hypothetical that something is going on between Miller and the NFL. The fact that Chris Mortensen of ESPN, who has cultivated over the years a strong relationship with the Mannings, is among those reporting that Miller faces a six-game suspension surely resonates with Peyton.
Still, there seems to be a lot more to this one than meets the eye. As we explained this morning, questions about the sample collection process could be involved in Miller’s case.
Regardless, the suspension isn’t official until the appeal process has been finalized. Two weeks and two days away from Week One, the hearing still hasn’t happened. For now, no one knows when it all will be resolved.