Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker isn't taking his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy laying down. Welker was flagged for the use of amphetamines, according to an ESPN.com report on Tuesday.

Shortly after the news of his suspension broke, Welker went on the offensive.

"I'm as shocked as everyone at todays news," Welker told The Denver Post via an email. "I want to make one thing abundantly clear: I would never knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way. Anyone who has ever played a down with me, lifted a weight with me, even eaten a meal with me, knows that I focus purely on what I put in my body and on the hard work I put in year round to perform at the highest levels year- in and year-out.

"I want any youth football players and all sports fans to know, there are no shortcuts to success, and nothing but hard work and studying, leads to success.

"I have never been concerned with the leagues performance enhancing or drug abuse policies because under no scenario would they ever apply to me, but I now know, that (drug-policy procedures) are clearly flawed, and I will do everything in my power to ensure they are corrected, so other individuals and teams aren't negatively affected so rashly like this.

"I have worked my whole life to be the best that I can be, and I have encountered many obstacles over my career, and this will be no different!

"Thank you for the outpouring of support, and I want Bronco nation to know, that no one and no thing will get in the way of our goal as a team, to bring [Broncos owner] Pat Bowlen the trophy he and this great region deserve."

Welker, who suffered a concussion Aug. 23 during a preseason game against the Houston Texans, participated in a Broncos practice on Monday.

Under the suspension, he must sit the first four games of the regular season.