The Arizona Cardinals won't have to worry about Reagan Maui'a causing mischief this season. The Cardinals fullback was cut a few days ago, and now he won't be playing most of September either. Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic has more.
NFL confirms @caplannfl tweet that ex-Cardinals FB Reagan Maui'a will be suspended three games if/when signs with another team.
NFL spokesman said Maui'a suspension falls under substance abuse policy. suspension is 1st 3 games of 2011, even if unsigned.
The punishment appears to be for the first three weeks he returns to action. So Maui'a won't play the first three three games of 2011 when he's picked up by an NFL team. Expect that if some NFL team decides to pick him up, they'll get him early so they can make sure he can play as early as possible. Either that, or he won't be signed at all. There is risk with taking a player who's violated the NFL substance abuse policy.
Maui'a was cut by the Cardinals after they decided to go with Anthony Sherman as their main fullback option. It looks like they probably had some idea that this punishment was coming.