Every Vikings fan can now exhale.  Defensive end Jared Allen is no longer one crazy Friday night away from a one-year suspension.

Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Allen is out of the league’s substance abuse program.  Moving forward, a positive test will not subject him to a suspension. 

“I don’t have to tell them where I travel to anymore,” Allen said.  “I’m back to being a normal citizen in the NFL.”

Allen doesn’t have to keep the league informed as to his whereabouts because “membership” in the program requires players to be available at a moment’s notice for an unannounced test.

Though it makes Allen’s day-to-day life easier, the absence of the constant threat of a drug and alcohol test means that the temptation to get reacquainted will the Reverend Al K. Hall could return.  And so it’s now more important that ever, in our view, for Allen to remain dedicated to avoiding the liquid poison that nearly derailed his NFL career.