[Tommy]

Eden Prairie, MN (Sports Network) - Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith has been suspended for the entire 2005 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Smith, who served a four-game suspension last season for violating the league's substance abuse policy, was excused from the team indefinitely after a run-in at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in April.

The 24-year-old Smith has had several off-the-field issues since coming into the league in 2003, including the airport incident. On April 21, Smith was detained after being caught with several vials of dried urine and a device manufactured to beat drug tests.

Already having two strikes against him, Smith was subject to a one-year suspension with another violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

Despite missing the four games last season, Smith still led the Vikings with 544 rushing yards.

Smith was forced to leave the University of Tennessee in 2000 because of problems off the field -- highlighted by a reported marijuana use -- and eventually ended his college career at Oregon.

The suspension throws a wrench into Minnesota's offensive scheme for 2005. After dealing away star wide receiver Randy Moss, the Vikings planned to add more running plays between Smith, Michael Bennett, Moe Williams and Melwelde Moore.


06/07 14:44:29 ET



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[naught33]

yeah he deserves to be, he is a moron for doing what he did. I don't think it'll hurt minny too much, they still have bennett at RB who when healthy is a gamebreaker.