Washington gone for the year

Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 AM in Arizona reports that the league has suspended Cardinals LB Daryl Washington for the entire 2014 season.  Washington recently pleaded guilty to assault charges stemming from a 2013 incident in which he allegedly broke an ex-girlfriend's collarbone.  Washington, of course, missed the 1st 4 games last season because of a suspension under the league's drug program.  We're happy to see this jerk get benched for the year so that we don't have to bother passing over his talent in IDP drafts.  Second-year LB Kevin Minter looks like the only clear starter inside for the Cards, who could look to the free-agent market for some help.

UPDATE: Turns out Washington's suspension actually comes from another violation of the league substance abuse policy.  He admitted in a statement that it pertained to marijuana use.  Regardless, he remains an ass who will need to become less ass-y if he hopes to continue an NFL career.

The NFL on Tuesday conditionally reinstated LB Daryl Washington. The Cardinals star had been suspended since May 2014 for multiple violations of the league substance-abuse policy, with the ban perhaps extended by his guilty plea to domestic assault. The league statement said Washington will need to set a course for treatment and then show his progress later this offseason before he's allowed to play any games. Cards leadership, meanwhile, has said the team won't address Washington's situation until after the NFL Draft. They have not been allowed any contact with the player during his suspension. Washington was a stud fantasy performer when last on the field, but it's tough for IDP owners to expect him to pick right back up after 3 years away -- especially at age 31 -- even if he makes it back to an active roster.

Cardinals LB Daryl Washington has been sentenced to 1 year of "supervised probation" for his assault charge stemming from a 2013 fight with his ex-girlfriend.  The light sentence comes as no surprise after Washington recently pleaded down.  The team website acknowledges, however, that Washington figures to see some league suspension under the personal conduct policy.  We'd bet on multiple games for a guy who already lost 4 weeks last year under the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Cardinals LB Daryl Washington pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault stemming from a domestic violence incident last May.  (Washington allegedly grabbed his girlfriend by the throat and shoved her to the ground, breaking her collarbone.)  The plea marks a change from his initial plea of not guilty to charges of aggravated assault and trespassing.  The AP had no report on the expected sentence, but the plea change and the omission of 1 of the original charges points to some kind of plea deal.  Of course, even if Washington avoids jail time, he'll likely face some league discipline under the personal-conduct policy.  He already missed the 1st 4 games of last season for a drug suspension.  Look for Washington to take another playing-time related hit in the 2014 IDP rankings.  Frankly, we'd rather win our league championships without abusers on the roster anyway.

The 4-game suspension that opened last season apparently hasn't hurt Cardinals LB Daryl Washington's standing with the team.  Arizona opted to pay his $10 million bonus on Thursday rather than cut him or seek a contract restructure.  That suggests that the franchise remains enamored of his on-field work, especially when you consider that the Cards allowed LB Karlos Dansby to walk in free agency.  Washington broke out for IDP owners in 2012 under then-DC Ray Horton but had a much milder impact on fantasy lineups after his return last season.  Look for improvement in his numbers over 2013, though he won't approach that 2012 standing in our 2014 IDP rankings.  LB Kevin Minter's expected to take over Dansby's vacated lineup spot next to Washington.

Cardinals LB Daryl Washington faces 2 counts of aggravated assault for an alleged incident involving the mother of his child.  The woman accused Washington of throwing her down during an altercation, breaking her clavicle in the process.  Washington said in a statement: "I regret that the situation has brought this kind of attention to my family and my team. I look forward to resolving it as soon as possible."  The incident continues a horrible offseason for last year's top fantasy LB.  Washington will already sit the first 4 games because of a league drug suspension.  We'll see if this issue produces any more lost playing time.  IDP owners will also have to hope that Washington gets his crap together from here on.