Broncos running back Travis Henry wins appeal, avoids suspension for drug test

DENVER — Broncos running back Travis Henry won his appeal of a one-year suspension over a failed drug test.

“We are pleased with this outcome and happy that Travis has been absolved of any wrongdoing with respect to this matter,” the team said in a statement Tuesday.

Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth said Henry wasn’t available for comment. Smyth declined to say when the team learned of the NFL’s decision or to elaborate on the brief written statement.

The NFL told Henry in September he had failed a test for marijuana. He disputed the results and sued the NFL to avoid a suspension.

Henry contended the league violated its substance abuse policy by not allowing an expert of his choosing to be present for the testing.

The failed drug test occurred while Henry was still under the two-year probationary period for a four-game, drug-related suspension while with the Tennessee Titans in 2005. That meant he would have been subject to a one-year suspension had the most recent results been upheld.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan has said he believes Henry’s assertion that he had not used drugs because Henry passed a polygraph test, and because a later test of a hair sample came back negative for marijuana.

Shanahan said if he thought his running back had used illicit drugs, he would have kicked him off the team.

The Titans released Henry after last season in a cost-cutting move. He signed a five-year, $22.5 million free agent contract with the Broncos in the offseason that included $12 million in guarantees.