Calling his time away from his teammates “ridiculously frustrating,” Todd Sauerbrun is counting the days until he completes an NFL suspension and is back with the Broncos.
In his first interview since his four-game suspension for using a banned dietary supplement began Sept. 2, the Broncos’ standout punter and kickoff specialist said Wednesday he is staying in shape and working out more than he would if he were with the 2-1 team.
Sauerbrun is eligible to return to the Broncos on Oct. 10, the day after Denver hosts Baltimore in a Monday night game.
“It’s been painful,” Sauerbrun said. “The hardest part is not being able to be part of the team. I thought it would be bad, but it has been worse. I’m ready to go back.”
Sauerbrun was suspended in July for using ephedra, a diet supplement the NFL banned after the heatstroke death of Minnesota offensive tackle Korey Stringer in 2001. The supplement was found in Stringer’s locker.
Sauerbrun said he was using the supplement to lose weight and admitted it was a mistake. Sauerbrun was allowed to compete at training camp and was with the Broncos until the end of the preseason.
Sauerbrun hopes there will be a job waiting for him when he returns. Paul Ernster, Sauerbrun’s replacement at punter and on kickoffs, has a chance to keep the job. While coach Mike Shanahan hasn’t specifically addressed the issue, Ernster could stay because he has been solid and is cheaper than Sauerbrun.
Sauerbrun likely would attract immediate interest elsewhere if he were released, but he said he expects to be back with Denver.
“I haven’t heard otherwise,” he said. “I just have to go light it up in practice and if they make that move, it’s out of my control. I’m planning on being a Denver Bronco. That is where I want to be.”
Sauerbrun has stayed in the Denver area during his suspension and is working with his personal trainer. Sauerbrun said he kicks four days a week and goes to a gym afterward.
“My life has been pretty boring other than working out,” he said. “I’ve been kicking more than I would during the season. It’s going very well.”
Sauerbrun said he has kept in touch with some of his teammates. But as part of his suspension, he can’t go to the Broncos’ facility and he can’t be in contact with the team’s coaches.
Sauerbrun said being idle and watching his teammates play on television has been difficult, but he got some satisfaction watching the Broncos win 17-7 at New England on Sunday night.
“I was surprised we didn’t beat New England worse,” he said. “We controlled the whole game. I was so happy for the guys. … But it also made me want to get back with them and win with them even more.”
Brandon case update
Broncos safety Sam Brandon turned himself in to the Douglas County Court on an active warrant for his arrest on two mis- demeanor charges Wednesday.
Brandon was charged with violation of a restraining order and violation of his bond conditions. The judge, over the prosecutor’s objection, granted Brandon’s release on bond. A pretrial conference for Brandon is scheduled for Nov. 17.
“This is from an ongoing investigation from May and because we didn’t settle in the fashion (prosecutors) wanted, they came up with this,” said Brandon’s attorney, Harvey Steinberg.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
