ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Citing confidentiality, neither Von Miller nor Head Coach John Fox discussed the potential four-game suspension that the All-Pro linebacker faces.
Miller did confirm that he plans to appeal the suspension, which has been the subject of myriad reports in the two days preceding the Broncos' Wednesday training-camp arrival.
"Out of respect for this being an ongoing situation, I can't really touch on further details about it," Miller said. "I can touch into more detail whenever the subject is resolved."
But Fox made it clear that Miller will be the first-team strongside linebacker when training camp begins. That question arose because of then-linebacker D.J. Williams' situation last year. He faced a six-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy, and eventually sat out nine games following a driving-while-ability-impaired conviction in August 2012. With Williams set to miss half the season, he received few repetitions during team and seven-on-seven periods in training camp.
"Right now, there is no (suspension) pending, to my knowledge," Fox said. "(Miller) is going to get every rep with the first team until we hear something different."
Speculation has centered around Shaun Phillips, Miller's strongside backup, taking on a greater role if Miller is suspended, but Fox noted that the team has not had conversations about what to do if Miller is unavailable for the first four games.
"No, because that's not reality," Fox said.
Although it cleared the matter for the start of camp, the remarks did little to lift the fog that shrouds Miller and the Broncos following the reports of the previous 48 hours. But the reports didn't shake the faith that long-time defensive captain Champ Bailey has in the third-year Pro Bowler.
"One thing I know about Von is that he's not going to jeopardize what he does on that field," Bailey said. "He's 100 percent a football player. I know he cares about it and loves it to death, so he's not going to jeopardize his career for something stupid."
"I'd be surprised if he got suspended four games," Bailey added a few minutes later. "It's just surprising to me. I just know that he loves football and he shows it in the way he prepares and the way he works. That's what I know of the guy."
While Miller couldn't be as emphatic as Bailey, he verified that the potential suspension was not for performance-enhancing drugs -- verifying a statement made by the NFL Players Association -- and that smoking marijuana is not a part of his life.
"Absolutely not," Miller replied.
