Daryl Washington's return to the Cardinals still up in the air

With the 2015 off-season underway, there is more focus on the possibility of Cardinals linebacker Daryl Washington returning from suspension.

It was announced last May 30 that Washington was suspended for at least one year for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He still faces possible suspension for a domestic violence incident.

Washington is eligible to apply for reinstatement no sooner than 60 days before the one-year anniversary of the letter banishing him. I don't know when Washington received that letter. It likely was sometime before his suspension was announced on May 30.

So, sometime next month, Washington will be able to apply for reinstatement. The commissioner can take up to 60 days from that time to make a decision.

So the Cardinals might not know Washington's status before the draft, April 30-May 2.

Through his agent, Washington has consistently declined comment while suspended.

Here's the part of the substance abuse policy that deals with reinstatement following stage-three banishment:

NFL reinstatement requirements

Any Player who has been banished under Stage Three may apply formally in writing for reinstatement no sooner than 60 days before the one-year anniversary date of the letter so banishing him.

The application should include all pertinent information about the Player's:

(a) Treatment;

(b) Abstinence from Substances of Abuse throughout the entire period of his banishment;

(c) Involvement with any Substances of Abuse related incidents; and

(d) Arrests and/or convictions for any criminal activity, including Substances of Abuse-related offenses.

Set forth below are the procedures to be used when an application is received by the Commissioner.

1. Within 45 days of receipt of the application, the Player will be interviewed by the Medical Director and the Medical Advisor, after which a recommendation will be made to the Commissioner with regard to the Player's request for reinstatement.

2. The Player will execute appropriate medical release forms that will enable the Commissioner's staff and NFLPA Executive Director's staff to review the Player's substance abuse history, including but not limited to attendance at counseling sessions (individual, group and family); attendance at 12-step and other self-help group meetings; periodic progress reports; and all diagnostic findings and treatment recommendations.

3. The Player will submit to urine testing by an NFL representative at a frequency determined by the Medical Advisor.

4. The Player will agree in a meeting with the Commissioner or his representative(s) to comply with the conditions imposed by the Commissioner for his reinstatement to the status of an active Player.

5. All individuals involved in the process will take steps to enable the Commissioner to render a decision within 60 days of the receipt of the application.