Cardinals Linebacker Daryl Washington Suspended For Entire 2014 Season

PHOENIX — The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington for one year for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

The punishment, announced Friday, was for substance abuse and did not mention his recent guilty plea to assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

Washington, in a statement released by his agent, says the penalty was for marijuana, and that he takes responsibility for the violation. He says he “is committed to making changes” in his life that will allow him to return to the NFL.

Considered among the best in the NFL at his position, Washington was suspended the first four games of last season for violating the substance abuse policy.