Von Miller suspension: NFL can add games after latest legal issue

Von Miller could miss even more games if Roger Goodell decides that the outside linebacker’s piling legal troubles run afoul of the league’s personal conduct policy.

by Louis Bien

Sep 11, 2013, 4:41 PM UTC

Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Part Of

Von Miller’s suspended for 6 games

see all updates

Von Miller could miss additional games for the Denver Broncos as a result of his latest legal issues, according to ESPN.com. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has the authority to lengthen Miller's suspension in light of Miller's recent citation for speeding and driving with a suspended license. Miller is already in the midst of a six-game suspension for submitting a diluted urine sample for drug testing.

Though traffic violations don’t usually draw the ire of the league in isolated instances, the fact that Miller is a repeat offender could run him afoul of Goodell. Miller’s most recent citation was his second in Arapahoe County, Colo. Court records show that the county cited Miller for careless driving, driving without a license and not having proof of insurance in Oct., 2012. Miller was arrested in August for failing to appear at a court date to answer for the charges.

Per the language of the league’s conduct policy, Goodell does not need to wait for a conviction or an admission of guilt by a player to dole out punishment, and thus Miller could have games added to his suspension before he is set to appear in court again this October.

The Broncos dealt with a similar situation last season with D.J. Williams. The linebacker also was suspended six games because of a violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy, and had an additional three games tacked on by Goodell because of multiple DUI arrests.

Miller established himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL last season with 18.5 sacks. The Broncos did not appear to miss his presence too badly in their season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, however. The team managed to sack Joe Flacco four times. Shaun Phillips, who is playing an expanded role while Miller is suspended, had 2.5 sacks on his own.