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Vikings' Smith Reportedly Will Be Suspended for Season
According to reports, Onterrio Smith's suspension is not related to being caught with 'The Whizzinator'
Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith will be suspended for the season by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy a third time, according to two reports.
Pending an appeal, Smith will be forced to sit out the 2005 season, ESPN.com and The Star Tribune reported Thursday.
Smith skipped a drug test, which qualifies as a violation under league policy, ESPN.com reported, citing two unidentified team sources. Missing a drug test is equivalent to a positive test, and Smith had already violated league policy twice and served a four-game suspension last season.
A third violation brings a one-year suspension. A player would have to apply to the commissioner for reinstatement after that suspension is served.
The Star Tribune, citing an unidentified league source, reported on its Web site Thursday that the NFL has notified Smith of its decision. The newspaper did not specify the violation.
Both reports said the suspension was unrelated to Smith being stopped by airport security in Minneapolis last month. A search found vials of dried urine and a device marketed as a way to beat drug tests called "The Original Whizzinator."
Smith told police the gear was for his cousin. He wasn't charged by police, and the NFL has said possession of the device alone isn't enough to violate league drug policies.
Earlier Thursday, Vikings coach Mike Tice said Smith would miss the rest of the team's offseason program for undisclosed reasons.
"He's been excused from the rest of the offseason program and he'll be gone indefinitely," Tice said. "I really can't speak about any reasons why or when he'll be back. It's in the league's hands. We'll leave it at that."
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said he couldn't comment on Smith's status or elaborate on Tice's comments.
Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings' vice president for football operations, said he could not comment on Smith's status in the league's drug program.
"He's been excused indefinitely from our program," Brzezinski told The Associated Press. "That's not the league's decision, that's a club decision."
Smith's agent, Doug Hendrickson, didn't immediately return a phone call. The player's lawyer, David Cornwell, said anything appropriate to report would come from the NFL office.
Smith missed the team's camp Tuesday for unspecified personal reasons. He returned Wednesday and worked out, but didn't speak to reporters.
Smith, a fourth-round pick in 2003, led the team in rushing last season with 544 yards.
"We have to hope for the best, hope he continues to keep his head in the game and physically stays ready," receiver Nate Burleson said. "We'll see him in a year."
Source: AP