Cardinals' Daryl Washington reportedly suspended for 2014 season

Mike Jurecki reports that Arizona Cardinals ILB Daryl Washington will be suspended for the entire 2014 NFL season. Washington was recently sentenced to a year of probation for aggravated assault of a former girlfriend. Under the sentence, his charge would be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor once probation is complete. Washington was suspended last season as well for violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy.

UPDATE: Washington's suspension is related to another violation of the substance abuse policy, not his legal case.

Cardinals GM Steve Keim issued a statement:

"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."

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After losing All-Pro LB Karlos Dansby to the Browns in free agency, this is another blow to Arizona's elite defense, who will rely on sophomore Kevin Minter to pick up the slack. The Cards also brought in Larry Foote in free agency and are reportedly interested in Ernie Sims, but there is likely to be a big dropoff in talent in the middle of the Arizona defense.

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Daryl Washington reportedly to be suspended for all of 2014 - Revenge of the Birds
The Pro Bowl linebacker will not be able to help the team's playoff hopes.