Broncos’ Tracy Porter may avoid suspension

Porter was part of a Saints secondary that often used a high/low hit mentality. (Image courtesy of NBC Sports)

The NFL has yet to announce if it will discipline players that were involved in the Saints’ bounty program.  It is not known how the league will deal with the players and if some players will receive harsher punishments than others, but several players may be suspended to start the season.

This could affect the Denver Broncos‘ secondary because cornerback Tracy Porter (5-11, 186 lbs.) played in New Orleans over the past four seasons and is expected to start across from Champ Bailey (6-0, 192 lbs.) in Denver’s secondary this season.  If Porter is suspended for several games, the team will have Chris Harris (a 5-10, 190 pound second-year starting nickel cornerback), Tony Carter (5-9, 175 lbs.), Cassius Vaughn (5-11, 195 lbs.), Ramzee Robinson (5-10, 190 lbs.) and Syd’Quan Thompson (5-9, 191 lbs.) and possibly several rookies competing for the team’s No. 2 cornerback position.

In other words, the Broncos need Porter and need to know if he will be missing anytime this season because it could affect their draft plans and roster transactions.  One of the transactions that has already taken place, the release of Andre’ Goodman, could indicate that the team does not believe the NFL will be disciplining Porter.

Mike Florio of PFT speculates that the league may have privately informed the Broncos that Porter will not be suspended, allowing them to part ways with Goodman.  If true, Porter is safe.

Florio also noted that the league should make its decision before the draft, because suspensions could change the Saints’ and Broncos’ immediate team needs.  Stay tuned as we wait for the official word from the NFL.