One risk involved in the Broncos’ signing of Travis Henry will be erased later this year if the running back continues to stay clean.
Henry will rotate out of the NFL’s substance abuse program after the third game of the 2007 season if he doesn’t have any drug violations. If he does have a violation before then, Henry would be suspended for the entire season.
Players rotate out of the program after two seasons if they don’t have any further violations.
Henry was suspended four games in 2005, his first season with the Tennessee Titans, after testing positive for marijuana.
Henry, 28, was signed by Denver on Monday and will be the team’s primary tailback. Henry is Denver’s most experienced and most expensive tailback since Terrell Davis. Henry signed a five-year contract worth $22.5 million, with $12 million in guarantees.
“I’m just focused on being a good Bronco and helping the team win,” he said Monday.
Bly update
With newly acquired cornerback Dré Bly wishing to be traded to Washington, the Broncos and Redskins could talk about getting a trade done. Washington tried to acquire Bly from Detroit last week before Denver finalized the deal.
The Redskins reportedly were prepared to give Bly, who is from Virginia, a long-term deal. The Broncos aren’t willing to give Bly, a free agent after next season, a new contract but might work on one later. The Broncos have been in contact with Bly in recent days, said Jim Bates, the Broncos’ assistant head coach in charge of defense.
The Redskins and Broncos have worked on deals in the past. The Redskins have the No. 6 pick in the April draft and likely would be willing to trade down. The Broncos have a recent history of trading up. Any deal likely would have to involve Denver’s No. 21 pick.
The Broncos have long admired Redskins running back Ladell Betts, and he reportedly has been shopped by Washington.
The Broncos are visiting with Arizona cornerback David Macklin. If signed, he could be a backup. If Bly doesn’t stay with Denver, Domonique Foxworth likely would start.
“Hopefully he’ll see the light,” Bates said of Bly. “He’ll see the opportunity in Denver of being part of a great football team, great organization and being opposite the side of Champ Bailey. Hopefully he’ll come around and say, ‘Hey, this is where I want to be.”‘
Smith has hip surgery
The Broncos announced wide receiver Rod Smith recently had surgery on his left hip. The recovery time is four months. Smith turns 37 in May.
“The surgery is not unusual,” said Tom Mills, Smith’s agent. “There is some rehab time, but he will be ready by training camp.”
Smith is expected to meet soon with the team to discuss his future. Smith has a high salary cap number the team wants to reduce. Smith could be released or he could retire if an agreement isn’t reached.
Plummer papers
An NFL spokesman said the league has not received the retirement papers of Jake Plummer. But the former Broncos quarterback still intends to retire, two sources close to him said. The paperwork is simply protocol. The league spokesman said when a player retires, a letter is sent to the commissioner. The club that holds his rights, which is Tampa Bay after Saturday’s conditional trade, can carry him on the roster or place him on the reserve/retired list.
Wilkinson update
Bates said he hasn’t talked to Dan Wilkinson since the defensive lineman was acquired from Miami in a trade Saturday. There was talk last year Wilkinson was considering retirement. Bates said he was told Wilkinson is on a cruise.
Bates said he expects Wilkinson to play for the Broncos and be on the field 25 to 30 plays a game.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
