Vikings' Smith suspended for 2005

The NFL suspended Minnesota Vikings running back Onterrio Smith for the entire 2005 season, for violating its substance abuse policy.

Smith, 24, served a four-game suspension last season for a similar offence, and, on April 21, was detained at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, when authorities found several vials of dried urine and "The Original Whizzinator," a device used to beat drug tests.

"We, first off, hate for him as an individual to be going through this, but certainly we know the league and the organization will do all we can to help him overcome his problems," said Vikings offensive co-ordinator Steve Loney.

Smith rushed 124 times last season for a team-high 544 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games, including six starts.

He was expected to compete with Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore to be Minnesota's starting running back this coming season.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Onterrio, that he can shake some of these problems and be with us next year," Loney said.

Smith totalled 579 yards and five touchdowns on 107 carries in 15 games (three starts) as a rookie after being drafted out of Oregon in the fourth round 105th overall by the Vikings in 2003.

Smith began his NCAA career at the University of Tennessee, but tested positive for marijuana and wound up expelled in 2000.

with files from Sports Network