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Bengals' Joseph suspended for violating NFL Substance Abuse Policy

The NFL notified the Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday that cornerback Johnathan Joseph has been suspended without pay for one game for violating the NFL Substance Abuse Policy.

The Bengals issued a press release Tuesday saying Joseph has been suspended for Sunday's game at Kansas City. Joseph will also be fined an additional game check for the week following game against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, according to the release.

The second-year pro was arrested in northern Kentucky on Jan. 22 after a Boone County sheriff's deputy stopped a vehicle he was a passenger in and smelled marijuana, according to the police report. Joseph told the deputy he had marijuana in his Super Bowl backpack, where it was found, the report said.

After accepting a diversionary arrangement, he has since complied fully with all league and law-enforcement obligations in regard to resolving the matter, according to the club, and his case has now been dismissed by Kentucky authorities.

Joseph, a 2006 first-round draft pick from South Carolina, may not attend practices this week, but will be allowed to attend meetings and to work out individually at team facilities. He will be able to rejoin all team activities on Monday.

A Bengals spokesman told the Associated Press the club had no further comment.

Joseph was the ninth Bengals player arrested on a variety of charges over a nine-month period.

Two other Bengals -- linebacker Odell Thurman and receiver Chris Henry -- are suspended by the league. Thurman sat out last season for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and his request for reinstatement this season was turned down by commissioner Roger Goodell.

Henry will miss the first eight games of the season for repeatedly violating the league's conduct policy.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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