Broncos’ Von Miller suspended six games under NFL drug policy

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller received a six-game suspension under the NFL’s substance-abuse policy Tuesday, taking away the best defensive player from a team many expect to make a run at the Super Bowl.

The league wanted a longer penalty for the third-year linebacker, but the sides agreed to less than half the season, a person familiar with the negotiations between the linebacker and the NFL told the Associated Press.

Broncos Executive Vice President John Elway said the team was frustrated with what happened “and, I think, disappointed in Von.”

According to the NFL, Miller is eligible to play and practice through the last two preseason games. His suspension, without pay, will begin Aug. 31, and will cost him more than $800,000 of the nearly $2.3 million he’s scheduled to make this season.

He’ll be allowed at the team facility, but not at practice during the suspension. He can return to the field Oct. 14, the day after Denver’s home game against Jacksonville, and will be eligible for an Oct. 20 contest at the Indianapolis Colts.

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Michael Vick took a pay cut and had to compete for his job when he returned to the Philadelphia Eagles. Part of the choice had to do with the up-tempo offense mapped out by new Coach Chip Kelly.

And with his first chance to put his stamp on Philadelphia’s offense, Kelly named Vick the starting quarterback on Tuesday, giving the veteran the nod over Nick Foles after a sterling effort in the preseason.

“He’s our starter for the season,” Kelly said. “It’s not a one-game trial basis.”

Vick has been solid in two preseason games, and Foles, in his second season with the Eagles, has struggled to grasp Kelly’s multifaceted offense.

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Brandon Weeden was named the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback.

Coach Rob Chudzinski said Weeden earned the job with a strong off-season, training camp and preseason. Weeden was pushed in camp by veteran Jason Campbell.

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Offensive lineman John Moffitt was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos after his earlier trade to Cleveland was voided by the Browns. The Broncos, who announced the trade, sent defensive tackle Sealver Siliga to Seattle in exchange for Moffitt.

Seattle had traded Moffitt to the Browns on Monday, pending a physical, in exchange for Brian Sanford. But the Browns voided the deal. The Seahawks then sent Moffitt to the Broncos, providing Denver with some experienced depth.

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Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has no ligament damage in his right foot and should be ready for the regular season opener, a person familiar with the situation said. Cousins sprained his foot when he was tackled Monday night during the Redskins’ preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

ETC.

Ducks’ Souray has surgery

Ducks defenseman Sheldon Souray tore a ligament in his right wrist working out last month and underwent surgery that will sideline him at least through late November, the team said.

Souray, 37, suffered the injury while conditioning in Idaho on July 17, a team spokesman said, and underwent surgery eight days later. Souray scored seven goals with 10 assists in 44 games last season.

He was throwing a large medicine ball when he heard something pop in his wrist, a team official said. To replace Souray, the Ducks signed Mark Fistric, 27, to a one-year contract worth $900,000.

— Lance Pugmire

The Milwaukee Bucks rewarded center Larry Sanders for his breakout season with a multiyear contract extension, General Manager John Hammond announced. Sanders and the team agreed to a four-year, $44-million deal, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The 6-foot-11 Sanders had career-highs of 9.8 points and 9.5 rebounds last season. His 2.8 blocks per game ranked second in the NBA.

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Serena Williams will be seeded No. 1 at the U.S. Open as she tries to win a second consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

The U.S. Tennis Assn. stuck to the WTA rankings in announcing the 32 seeded women, including Victoria Azarenka at No. 2, and Maria Sharapova at No. 3.