ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos linebacker Von Miller will serve a six-game suspension under the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, a violation the linebacker said did not result from a positive test.

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.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because details about the negotiations were not public.

The NFL says Miller’s suspension will begin Aug. 31, and that he can return to the team Oct. 14.

Miller released a statement saying “although my suspension doesn’t result from a positive test, there is no excuse for my violations of the rules.”