Peterson is paying price for mistake

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 10, 2007 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD - While Broncos defensive end Kenny Peterson did not want to comment on his recent four-game suspension, coach Mike Shanahan pointed toward a tainted supplement as the cause for the positive test.

Peterson, who can participate in this week's minicamp practices as well as training camp practices and preseason games, was suspended by the NFL last week for the first four regular-season games under the league's steroids and related substances policy.

Shanahan declined to say what specifically brought the suspension, but said: "Sometimes it's not a conscious mistake. You take the wrong supplement; a guy might not know he's making a mistake and he makes one. It just takes one slip-up. You slip up just once, you're going to pay the price. You're responsible for what goes in your body, that's the bottom line."

The NFL's policy includes various performance-enhancing drugs as well as ephedra, a weight-loss stimulant the league has outlawed. Peterson signed a one-year, $595,000 contract with the Broncos in March.

His suspension would begin Aug. 31, the day after the Broncos' preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals. Peterson would then be eligible to return Oct. 1 as the team - the day after the game against the Colts in Indianapolis - prepares for its fifth game of the season.

While Peterson can participate in training camp practices and preseason games, he cannot practice with the team during his suspension. He would also forfeit $140,000 - four games' worth - of his salary during the suspension as well.

Peterson is the fourth Broncos player to be suspended under the policy in the past five years, joining punter Todd Sauerbrun, receiver Adrian Madise and safety Lee Flowers.

Peterson played in three games for the Broncos last season and finished with two tackles - both against the Raiders on Nov. 12.

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