Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith has been suspended three games by the NFL for his DUI arrest last summer.
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The 28-year-old Smith started all 16 games for Kansas City last season. He entered a guilty plea in March and received two years of probation.
In an odd twist, Smith would have faced a two-game ban, but saw it stretched to three for hitting a street lamp, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.
During the first three weeks of the 2015 NFL season, the Chiefs play at the Houston Texans, home to the Denver Broncos and at the Green Bay Packers. “The medication is not a substance which would enhance my on-field performance in any way and I genuinely was unaware that it was prohibited, but players are responsible for what is in their bodies”. That could open the door for the Chiefs to part ways with Smith if they feel an adequate replacement is in house.
The Chiefs were already headed to training camp next week trying to settle the cornerback position opposite Smith, where Phillip Gaines appeared to make the biggest move in the offseason.
The Chiefs also used a third-round pick in May on Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson, who also missed most of OTAs due to NCAA rules but participated in the mandatory minicamp.
Jamell Fleming and Marcus Cooper have some experience, and Ron Parker could fill the spot, though he is more suited for safety.
Peters ultimately could land the spot, but starting a rookie in Week 1 is hardly ideal.
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If Peters doesn’t transition smoothly to the NFL, then Smith’s absence could leave Kansas City in catch-up mode all season.
