Matt Prater Suspension: Broncos Kicker Violates NFL Substance Abuse Policy - Will Miss 4 2014 Season Games, Returns Week 6 Against Jets

Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater has been suspended for 4 NFL 2014 - 2015 season games after violating the leagues substance abuse policy. This suspension sees Prater missing out of the first 5 weeks of play due to a bye week, and returning to the field on week six against the New Jersey Jets. Prater wasn't abusing drugs, though. Reports claim he drank alcoholic beverages while on vacation, which angered the NFL since he was charged with a DUI in 2011.

The NFL wanted to suspend the kicker for the entire season, but settled on 4 games after some back-and-forth with the Broncos. Prater has been in the league's alcohol program since his 2011 DUI charge.

Check out the NFL's substance abuse policy right HERE.

"No one feels worse about this than Matt Prater," Prater's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, said this week. "He feels terribly for his teammates. It's cost him personally, both professionally and financially. I wonder if we shouldn't take a second look at the policy when only a couple beers were consumed at home while he was on vacation. Having said that, the NFL under the constraints of the policy couldn't have treated us better."

This suspension is sure to affect the Bronco's field goal game, as Prater is one of the top kickers in the NFL today.

"I've made some mistakes," Prater said, according to the Denver Post. "I'm accepting full responsibility. I'll learn from it and come back a better person. I want to apologize to my teammates, my coaches, the Broncos' organization and the fans."

Let us know what you think of this news in the comments section below!

(via The Denver Post)