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The NFL and Arizona Cardinals have announced that Pro Bowl linebacker Daryl Washington has been suspended for "at least one year," but it is not related to his domestic incident, where he reached a plea agreement recently.
The suspension is under the league's substance abuse policy. He was suspended four games in 2013 under the same policy.
General manager Steve Keim issued a statement regardimng the situation.
“It’s completely unacceptable that Daryl has once again put us in this position. We all know what the consequences are and will deal with them. From a personal standpoint, our hope is that this suspension will give Daryl the opportunity to accept the necessary help and guidance to get his life back on track and we will certainly support him however we can.
“As it pertains to our team, our approach is the same as it’s always been: next man up. We talk a lot about how critical depth is to a team because situations always arise where you lose players, whether by injury or other circumstances such as this one. One player’s absence is another’s opportunity. That approach has served us well in the past and we will rely on it now.”
Arizona will have to change gears defensively and deal with depth issues at inside linebacker. RIght now, Kevin Minter and Larry Foote will be the projected starters and there is little experience on the roster beyond that.
This news is shocking to all. Everyone was expecting a suspension related to his domestic incident. The substance abuse policy is something out of the blue.
Keim's words clearly indicate he is upset with Washington and his choices. The team paid him a $10 million bonus in March. He will not be paid his 2014 salary.
