Daryl Washington Facing One Year Ban
The Arizona Cardinals just got a little less nasty on defense. According to AZCardinals.com, stud inside linebacker Daryl Washington is facing a full season long ban, and possibly longer, due to violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
The NFL has stated that Washington’s latest suspension has nothing to do with his pending assault charges and only has to do specifically with his failed drug test. Washington reportedly faces “at least” the one year suspension, a ban that could be extended thanks to multiple failed drug tests, as well as his other off field issues.
The drug ban has been revealed to for marijuana, giving Washington two violations of the league’s drug policy, two years in a row. The 27-year old can be fully expected to sit out the entire 2014 season, and possibly a while longer.
Washington also missed four games to start the 2013 NFL season, as he served out a suspension for substance abuse violations. Washington was able to return to record 75 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery in 12 games.
Washington’s 2013 numbers put his talent and importance to the Arizona defense on full display, and echo just how big of a loss he is for 2014.
Easily one of the best pure talents at inside linebacker, Washington excels in coverage, helps to put pressure on the quarterback and can shut down the run. That type of elite versatility and effective play will be sorely missed by a rising, aggressive unit.
Prior to his four-game suspension in 2013, Washington was a bit of an iron man, missing just one game in his first three NFL seasons. While his absence going forward won’t be due to injury, his reliability as a long-term piece of Arizona’s defense will clearly be in question.
Arizona will look to second-year linebacker Kevin Minter to try to help fill Washington’s big shoes, while veteran linebacker Larry Foote could also help out in a rotating role.
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