PHOENIX -- The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals standout inside linebacker Daryl Washington for one year for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. The punishment, announced Friday, was for substance abuse and did not mention his recent guilty plea to assaulting his ex-girlfriend. He still could face a later suspension for the criminal conviction. Washington, in a statement released by his agent, said the penalty was for marijuana, and that he takes responsibility for the violation. He said 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. "It is completely unacceptable that Daryl has once again put us in this position," Cardinals general manager Steve Keim said in a statement released by the team. "We all know what the consequences are and will deal with them." Washington, the team leader in tackles in 2011 and 2012, will lose $2.9 million in salary, plus any prorated signing bonus money, due to the suspension. In March, Arizona exercised a $10 million option to keep him on the roster. Washington received $5 million then and the deals calls for him to get the other $5 million next March. However, the leagues collective bargaining agreement with players has a mechanism that allows the Cardinals to recoup a portion of that option money because of the substance abuse violation. Washington said the NFL "policy is very strict, and I have chosen to take responsibility." "I will work extremely hard to stay in top football shape," he said, "and will work equally hard to ensure that my life off the field meets the high level of maturity and responsibility to which I am committed." With the loss of inside linebacker Karlos Dansby to free agency, the Cardinals find themselves without the dynamic combination that was a big part of their strong defence last season. Second-year player Kevin Minter is slotted to take Dansbys place. Just what the team will do to try to replace Washington is unclear. "Our approach is the same as its always been: next man up," Keim said. "We talk a lot about how critical depth is to a team because situations always arise whether by injury or other circumstances such as this one." After leading the team with 111 tackles in his second NFL season, Washington signed a six-year contract, adding four years and $32 million to his existing deal. In 2012, he led the team with career highs of 140 tackles and nine sacks and made the Pro Bowl. But in April of last year, the NFL suspended him four games for violating the substance abuse policy. A month later, he was arrested on accusations of assaulting his ex-girlfriend, the mother of the couples child. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault earlier this year. A suspension for the criminal conviction had been expected. The penalty for substance abuse came as a surprise to some, but apparently not to Washingtons teammates. "Old news to us, new news to yall," defensive tackle Darnell Dockett said in a tweet. Keim said "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," Keim said, "and we will certainly support him however we can." When OTAs resumed this week, coach Bruce Arians said he hoped the team could pick up another outside linebacker. The Cardinals signed veteran Larry Foote in the off-season, and outside linebacker Lorenzo Washington also can play inside. Minter, a second-round draft pick, played almost entirely on special teams as a rookie. Another player Arizona has at inside linebacker is Kenny Demens, an undrafted rookie free agent a year ago who spent last season on the Cardinals practice squad. "I sincerely apologize for the effect of my actions on my teammates, coaches and other colleagues at the Cardinals," Washington said. "I also apologize to Cardinals fans for the time I will miss. I will work diligently during this suspension to return as a better man and football player." Adidas Superstar Edition Limitée . - Doug Kalitta led Top Fuel qualifying Friday in the NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway with a 3. Acheter Adidas Superstar Pas Cher . Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signalled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments. http://www.pascheradidassuperstar.fr/ . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Adidas Superstar Pas Cher . -- Jose Bautista never worries about hitting homers during the regular season. Adidas Superstar Soldes Pas Cher . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs.MONTREAL -- Marco Di Vaio could only sit and watch as the Montreal Impact lost their first three games of the Major League Soccer season. But now that Di Vaio and midfielder Andres Romero have served their three-game suspensions for a melee in a 2013 playoff game, the Italian striker is ready to get back to the business of scoring goals. "Ill try to bring something more, some experience, to the field," Di Vaio said Thursday. "I trained hard the last three weeks and I want to play." The scoring touch that saw him amass 20 goals last season -- all in open play, no penalties -- was clearly lacking as the Impact opened with losses of 3-2 in Dallas, 1-0 in Houston and 2-0 to Seattle in their home opener at Olympic Stadium last week. The 38-year-old, who will see his first action Saturday when the Impact play the Union in Philadelphia, cautioned that he cant turn the clubs fortunes around on his own. It will be his first competitive game in five months. "I hear that people are expecting us to get points because me and Romero are returning, but its not just two players that are going to change everything," he said. "I have to do my job -- try to score and be dangerous -- but the most important thing is that the team keeps its confidence because when you lose a game, sometimes you think what youre doing on the field is no good. I see every day the team is training really well, with a good attitude." Andrew Wenger filled in for Di Vaio up front and had a goal against Dallas, but foor the most part, the Impact created plenty of chances that went wanting for someone with the goal-scorers knack.dddddddddddd Montreal leads MLS with 57 shot attempts and 20 shots on goal, with midfielder Felipe Martins at the top with 13 shots. Defender Heath Pearce only joined the Impact this season, but the former New York Red Bull knows what Di Vaio can bring to a match. "Hes a great goal scorer and hes a really busy and active player on the field," said Pearce. "Its always good to have someone like that who always wants the ball -- a guy who gets mad when he doesnt get the ball all the time. "Thats the kind of guy you want making big plays in the tough moments for your team." The suspension stemmed from an ugly 3-0 loss in Houston in the Impacts first MLS playoff match in October. Late in the game, Romero touched off a skirmish by kicking an opponent. Di Vaio took a red card when he jumped into the fracas. It wasnt clear whether Romero will play in Philadelphia, but his return gives coach Frank Klopas an extra option. The Argentine played mainly on the left wing last season. "Its never easy for players being out, especially when you look at Marco," said Klopas. "Its kind of crazy, the three-game suspension he got, but his attitude has been great and hes worked extremely hard." The Union may be the ideal opponent for Di Vaio, who scored four times in three matches against them last season, including a hat-trick in a 5-3 win on May 25 in Montreal. ' ' '