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The Arizona Cardinals are a team on the rise and looking to get back into the playoffs in 2014 after narrowly missing out on them last year. While the offense - highlighted by big-name vets like Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald - is the most exciting part of them to watch, their defense is what carried them in '13.
A big part of that was the play of inside linebacker Daryl Washington. He, along with most of last year's defense returning, was expected to help the Cards compete in the NFC West with the likes of the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
Those plans took a major hit, as Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports reports Washington will miss the entire '14 season:
BREAKING: I've been told #Cardinals LB Daryl Washington will miss the ENTIRE 2014 season. Spoke with a player who confirmed the news.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) May 30, 2014
#Cardinals LB Daryl Washington will be suspended for the entire 2014 season, still gathering all the details.
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) May 30, 2014
Washington was suspended the first four games of the 2013 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He's had his share of problems both with drug problems and domestic issues.
One month after the report of his suspension, he was arrested for aggravated assault on his girlfriend. He plead guilty to those charges back in March.