I hope the report isn’t true, but Travis Henry has a rather spotty past when it comes to substance abuse, so it isn’t hard to believe the current rumor that he has failed another drug test and faces a year-long ban from the league. If true, Henry will have wasted a year of his career--and likely face some kind an attempt from the Broncos to recover a portion of his rather large signing bonus--for an infraction that he could and should have avoided.

Henry, 28, was suspended by the league for four games in 2005 because of a repeat violation of the substance abuse policy. The substance for which he tested positive on that occasion is not known. Under the league guidelines, another test within a two-year period would trigger a one-year suspension. Henry would then have to apply for reinstatement and his compliance with the treatment program prescribed for him would be reviewed.

Under the two-year policy, which essentially wipes a player’s slate clean, Henry was scheduled to rotate out of the substance abuse program on Oct. 1. But his lawsuit to block further testing of his urine sample was filed Sept. 20, indicating that the positive test occurred before Oct. 1.

So, to recap:

• It’s idiotic to use any banned substance when you know that the NFL is going to be regularly testing your pee.
• It’s a bit more down the road to moronic when you’re a multi-time loser who will face a year long, unpaid vacation for your next violation.
• It’s positively brain dead to do so when your multi-time loser status is about to be wiped clean after rotating out of the substance abuse program.

That’s the obvious stuff. There’s some less obvious stuff that bothers me nearly as much.

• A year-long suspension doesn’t just hurt Henry, it hurts his teammates and the organization.
• Even in the middle of a difficult season, Henry was likely to end up close to the top of the NFL rushing list this year. He had started well, he fit the Broncos running scheme well, and even in bad seasons the Broncos typically have one of the top-ranked rushing offenses. Being a part of this kind of an attack is a dream for most backs--and Henry needed the fresh start.

Wasted year and wasted talent.

The only upside is that Selvin Young shows some promise and Mike Bell is talented, too. Whether either of them is ready to be a full time starter, though, is open to speculation. Since Henry didn’t practice this week--suffering from ankle and knee injuries--at least the starting offense has been practicing with the backs who they will likely be working with for the rest of the year.

Read the rest.