Bronco's Wes Welker and Brown's Josh Gordon could have their suspension reduced or overturned if the National Football League and the player's union could agree with a deal to modify the league's drug policy within the next 48 hours.

DeMaurice Smith , executive director of the NFL Players Association, said in a Friday radio interview that players who are presently suspended could have their sanctions lifted if a new policy is approved.

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"If we get a deal done that covers players in this league year, I don't like that we punish players under a deal active in the old league year," said Smith. "We don't want players to suffer because the union and the league couldn't get it done before the league year."

Sources close to the ongoing negotiations have claimed that a new drug policy could be agreed upon before the Sunday's games are played.

The negotiations are focused upon including blood tests in detecting human growth hormone. Moreover, it aims to increase the current threshold for what would constitute as a positive test for marijuana.

The policy change could also affect the use of Amphetamines. If approved, Amphetamines would fall under the substance-abuse policy instead of the performance-enhancing drug policy. Thus, offseason violations would not automatically result into a suspension.

However, sources claim that one of the major obstacles preventing the approval of the new policy is the league's desire to increase penalties to players who are caught driving under the influence. Apparently, the penalties would affect other NFL personnel as well.

Welker is suspended for four games due to violations of the performance-enhancing drug policy. He tested positive for Amphetamines, a banned substance.

Gordon is suspended for the entire season after one of his urine samples tested positive for marijuana use. He is also charged with driving under the influence last July 5 and is scheduled to appear on court this November. 

Tagsjosh gordon, NFL, wes welker, Denver Broncos, cleveland browns