NFL Notes: DE Antonio Smith facing criminal sexual allegation

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith is under investigation in Texas over a criminal allegation the local sheriff described Thursday as "sexual in nature."

Smith has not been arrested and no charges have been filed. TMZ first reported the investigation.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said a complaint was made against Smith in November and it was "sexual in nature." After its investigation, the sheriff's office forwarded its findings to the county District Attorney's Office in February.

The district attorney's office didn't return phone calls from The Associated Press on Thursday. When contacted by the Denver Post, District Attorney John Healey declined to discuss the nature of his office's investigation or confirm its target.

"Last night, we became aware for the first time of an allegation involving Antonio Smith," the Broncos said in a statement. "We are now in the process of gathering more information."

The 33-year-old defensive end signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Broncos on April 2. In Denver, he has been reunited with the coach (Gary Kubiak), defensive coordinator (Wade Phillips) and D-line coach (Bill Kollar) under whose tutelage he excelled while playing for the Houston Texans from 2009-13 (see full story).

Bills: Marcell Dareus suspended one game
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Bills star defensive tackle Marcell Dareus will not play in Buffalo's season opener after being suspended without pay by the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

The NFL announced the one-game suspension on Thursday, meaning the two-time Pro Bowl selection will miss the Bills home game against Indianapolis on Sept. 13.

The punishment stems from Dareus being arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia after being stopped by Alabama State Police on May 5. Dareus avoided trial, during which he would have faced felony drug charges, by agreeing to enter an NFL substance abuse program in August.

Dareus released a statement on Wednesday in which he apologized and accepted responsibility for "making a mistake involving possession of a banned substance."

"I apologize to my family, my teammates, the entire Bills organization and Bills fans that I will miss one game as a result of my mistake," Dareus said. "I will work intensely that week and will be extremely happy to contribute to a win in week two for the Bills."

Dareus will be eligible to return for Buffalo's home game against AFC East rival New England on Sept. 20.

Judge dismisses domestic violence charges against Ray Rice
MAYS LANDING, N.J. — A judge on Thursday dismissed domestic violence charges against Ray Rice, who was captured by a surveillance camera knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in a hotel elevator last year.

Judge Michael Donio signed the order after the Atlantic County prosecutor told him the former Baltimore Ravens running back had completed the terms of his pretrial intervention.

Under terms of the program, Rice paid $125 in fines and received anger management counseling.

Rice was charged with third-degree aggravated assault. His attorney described what happened in February 2014 at Atlantic City's Revel Casino Hotel as "little more than a misunderstanding."

However, Rice's promising career with the NFL turned after TMZ released videos that showed him dragging his fiancee, Janay Palmer, out of the elevator after he struck her.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell initially suspended Rice for two games, then suspended him indefinitely after a second video revealed the knockout punch.

Rice appealed, and an arbitrator reinstated him. However, Rice has yet to sign with a team.

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