Updated

The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Daryl Washington for the first four games of next season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The league announced the sanction on Wednesday.

Washington made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season.

He led the Cardinals in 2012 with 140 tackles — 110 of them solo. He had nine sacks, 14 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery and six passes defensed. Washington's nine sacks were the most by an NFL inside linebacker. Washington also led the team in tackles in 2011.

He is eligible to participate in all preseason practices and in preseason games.

A second-round draft pick out of TCU in 2010, Washington signed a six-year contract last September.