The belief in Broncos camp at Dove Valley is running back Travis Henry is about to beat the rap.
The Broncos are basing their faith on chronological logic, not on any word they’ve received from the NFL office regarding a favorable ruling on Henry’s alleged positive test for marijuana.
“I’m waiting to hear just like everybody else,” Henry said Thursday.
The Broncos were expecting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to announce his decision on the Henry case Tuesday. If the initial ruling on Henry were upheld, he would face a one-year suspension.
However, the league woke up Tuesday morning to the news Washington safety Sean Taylor died from a gunshot wound. Henry became the least of the league’s concerns.
Once the Broncos began their practice preparations for the game Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, Denver officials were told by the league nothing would come down this week.
The Broncos have since heard an announcement could be made Friday. In that case, the Broncos surmise the only logical verdict is a declaration of Henry’s innocence, unprecedented as it may be.
Why?
Because if the league were to suspend Henry today, it would put the Broncos at a competitive disadvantage because he was part of their pregame preparations for the Raiders. If the league waits until next week to suspend Henry, then Raiders’ owner Al Davis would raise heck for delaying the decision until after their game.
Meanwhile, for the first time since suffering a knee injury Nov. 4 at Detroit, Henry is healthy enough to play.
“It was important to get back on the practice field this week and show them I was ready,” Henry said. “Because this Sunday will be four weeks since I had the injury and it was a four-week injury. I’m ready to go.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
