Denver Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun will likely miss the first four games of the 2006 NFL season after testing positive for the banned supplement ephedra according to published reports.
Sauerbrun is expected to appeal the suspension. If his appeal is denied, the violation of the league's drug policy will cost Sauerbrun one-quarter of his paychecks this season.
Ephedra was added to the list of banned substances by the NFL after the death of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Korey Stringer in 2001.
Sauerbrun, 33, joined the Broncos prior to the 2005 season after playing for the Carolina Panthers. He was originally drafted in the second round by the Chicago Bears in 1995. He led the NFC in punting for three consecutive seasons in 2001, 2002 and 2003 becoming the first player to lead a conference in punting for three straight years since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
Sauerbrun is presently taking part in mini-camp workouts at the Broncos training center. He has not made any comments to reporters pending the official announcement of his suspension by the league.
