Sean Smith with an interception in 2014
Sep 29, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) intercepts a pass and runs back during the second half against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 41-14. REUTERS/Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith has been suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The seven-year veteran pleaded guilty last April to a DUI charge in 2014.

The league’s official website confirmed the suspension and mentioned that it would have been a two-game suspension if Smith did not hit a street lamp during the driving accident.

Smith will miss the first three games of the regular season when the Chiefs tackle the Houston Texans, Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers and will be eligible to rejoin the team for the Week 4 match-up against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The 28-year-old Smith, who was a second round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft or the 61st overall selection, played for the Miami Dolphins from 2009 to 2012 before landing with the Chiefs in 2013 and 2014. He has played all but one game in his regular season career in the NFL and has accumulated 307 tackles, eight interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Smith, who is considered one of the top cornerbacks in the league, is on the third and final year of a three-year contract worth $18 million he signed with the Chiefs in 2013. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed just 57 per cent of passes thrown his way and is ranked the fifth-best cornerback in the entire league.

With the suspension, the Andy Reid’s Chiefs will most likely rely on second-year cornerback Philipp Gaines, who had 20 tackles in his rookie year, for the first three games of the upcoming NFL season.

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