Wes Welker gets four-game suspension

UNDATED (AP) – Wes Welker will open the season on the NFL's suspended list.

The Denver Broncos wide receiver has been slapped with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

ESPN reported the violation had to do with amphetamines, and NFL Media reported Welker was notified Tuesday he had lost his appeal, which was heard two weeks ago.

Welker told the Denver Post in an email that he was as shocked as everyone at the news.

Welker caught 73 passes for 778 yards and a career-high 10 TDs despite missing the last 3 1/2 games of last season.

The suspension begins with Sunday night's game against the Colts.