The good news for the Broncos is that Travis Henry played Sunday.
The rest of the season, though, is a week-to-week proposition.
Looming over the Broncos’ worst home defeat in 41 years is the weight of Henry’s drug case, which weighs as heavily as the Broncos’ three-game losing streak.
If the downtrodden Broncos are to turn around this season, they will need Henry to win a lawsuit involving urine samples the league says are dirty. Because Henry already is in stage two of the league’s substance-abuse policy, he is facing at least a one-year suspension for a positive test.
An NFL source said Henry is scheduled to take a polygraph test this week regarding whether he recently smoked marijuana. The Broncos have used lie detector tests on players in the past. Henry also is willing to provide hair samples for testing in an attempt to prove his innocence.
A possible defense for Henry is that his urine tested positive for low levels of THC from marijuana because he was subjected to second-hand smoke. Because the suit has been moved to federal court in New York, and Henry may appeal if not pleased with the outcome, this saga could stretch into November, potentially giving Henry another four or five games before he might serve a suspension.
Sunday, Henry was a big part of the Broncos’ plan before the game got out of hand in a 41-3 loss to the San Diego Chargers. Henry, who entered the game as the NFL’s leading rusher, gained 65 yards on 16 carries. He was bothered most of the week by ankle and knee injuries he aggravated last week at Indianapolis. Henry didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but he did on Friday, the day after the news of his lawsuit broke.
After Sunday’s game, Henry had little to say. He repeatedly said he was “good” and that “everything is good” without elaborating. Henry said Friday he would not speak about the case, which will continue this week in New York.
Coach Mike Shanahan and team leaders said Henry’s off-field issues had no bearing on the team’s all-around horrific day Sunday. Henry was the focus of a media firestorm this weekend, but the team said it was business as usual.
Friday, Shanahan said the situation was “disappointing” but said he was legally unable to discuss the facts of the case. Shanahan first learned about Henry’s situation Thursday.
“I don’t think it was a distraction, to be honest with you,” Shanahan said after the game. “I think it was a distraction for him because he’s got to talk about it. Obviously I had to address it, but, besides that, that was no reason for the performance we had. That had nothing to do with it.”
Broncos players echoed Shanahan’s thoughts.
“I don’t think it was,” center Tom Nalen said. “I know I wasn’t affected. (Henry) had a real good day of practice Friday, and I just don’t think it played a part.”
Broncos safety John Lynch said players’ personal issues are part of the game and as teammates, players can’t let them affect their actions.
“It had no affect on this game whatsoever,” Lynch said. “Unfortunately, things like this do occasionally happen, and you can’t let it affect you. It’s disconcerting. No matter how you may feel about things personally, we are a family, and we support Travis. We will be behind him through this whole thing, and we won’t let it affect it.”
Despite that, the team may need to get accustomed to the subject hovering over it for a while.
Travis’ travels
Before Sunday, Broncos running back Travis Henry had averaged 21.5 carries and 108.3 yards per game for a 5-yard average while leading the NFL in rushing. His performance against the Chargers:
(Quarter Carries Yards)
First 5 13
Second 5 35
Third 2 4
Fourth 4 13
Total 16 65
Bill Williamson: 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com
