With or without Brandon Marshall, the Broncos figured to have a tough time fielding a team that could compete with the AFC West champion San Diego Chargers.
At least the Broncos will get their early season chance with Marshall on the field.
Thanks to a tentative appeal ruling Thursday, the NFL has decided to reduce Marshall’s suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy from three games to one with a two-game fine.
That means that while Marshall’s suspension will begin Saturday and will not allow him to play in the season-opener Sept. 8, he will be reinstated Sept. 9 in preparation to play in the Broncos’ second game, their home opener Sept. 14 against the Chargers.
Initially, Marshall’s numerous incidents with his former girlfriend led NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to impose a three-game suspension on the Broncos’ star receiver with the possibility of reducing it two games if he met the conditions of counseling and avoided further legal trouble.
However, Marshall and attorney Harvey Steinberg were able to convince the league through an appeal hearing Tuesday in New York that the initial finding was too harsh.
Steinberg previously said: “I’m very happy that the commissioner was willing to take a second look at this situation and give Mr. Marshall an opportunity to prove he will not make some of the bad choices he’s made in the past.
“We were treated fairly and professionally throughout the appellate process and we appreciate the way this was handled.”
