As expected, Broncos linebacker Von Miller didn’t attend practice on Thursday. As unexpected, Miller didn’t attend an appeal hearing in New York on Thursday.
Per multiple reports, Miller met with NFLPA lawyers in Washington, D.C. instead. The hearing has been postponed.
The hearing possibly will be canceled, if an agreement between the league and the union is reached resolving the situation. Settlement possibilities include a reduced suspension or a fine.
Coach John Fox told reporters on Thursday that Miller will return Saturday and play in the preseason game against the Seahawks.
"[W]e are prepared for any possible scenario,” quarterback Peyton Manning told reporters, via quotes distributed by the team. “That’s how you have to be. If you get all wrapped up into one outcome and it doesn’t end up turning out that way, you don’t really have a Plan B. Today was a good practice on the possibility that he may not be here. If that is the case, that is not going to be an excuse for our team and we have to find a way to do our jobs. But, we certainly hope that he is here.”
Miller, whose four-game suspension apparently arises from the substance-abuse policy, reportedly did not test positive for drugs. Violations can occur in other ways, including missed tests and diluted samples.
Violations of the substance-abuse policy don’t arise from unrelated arrests. Thus, while the league may not be happy with Miller for his recent arrest arising from an alleged failure to appear for a hearing in traffic court, any discipline for that infraction would have to flow from the personal-conduct policy.