Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith has applied for NFL reinstatement
As the end of his year-long suspension nears, Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith has applied for reinstatement.
Aldon Smith played nine games for the Oakland Raiders in 2015, before being hit with a one-year suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy in November. With that ban set to expire on Nov. 17, Raiders’ general manager Reggie McKenzie told Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle that Smith has applied for reinstatement.
Smith’s suspension nearly a year ago stemmed from a DUI incident in August of 2015, and he checked himself into rehab in late-July of this year. Around a month prior to that, news of a probation violation attached to a previous DUI came, then prior to checking himself into rehab a video from Smith’s Periscope account appeared to show him smoking a joint.
Smith denied it was him in the video, which is likely a violation of the aforementioned probation. But beyond that, that potential drug use could easily further complicate Smith’s situation with the NFL now that he has applied for reinstatement.
An application for reinstatement from Smith would probably also come with some evidence of his reported recent rehab stint. It’s unclear if commissioner Roger Goodell will allow him back in the league this season, with three DUI arrests now on his record, but if Smith is reinstated it will probably be announced fairly soon.
For what it’s worth, McKenzie and the Raiders organization appear to be firmly in Smith’s corner.
"“Aldon is doing well,” McKenzie said. “That situation is going to be totally up to the league because he’s been in the program and they’ve monitored him. It’s up to Goodell to say yah, nay or when. And he could say no to everything … that part is out of our hands. The league will take everything into consideration and Aldon will have to meet with Goodell at some point.”"
"“Aldon is working out and getting ready,” McKenzie added. “He is in a great place and that’s the main thing. Whether Goodell lets him out or not, that’s the important thing – that he’s healthy and happy. But I would hope that we as a league reward a guy – with stipulations – who goes through the right steps and wants to get better and get his life in order.”"
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The earliest Smith could play for the Raiders is Week 11, in a Nov. 21 Monday night game against the Houston Texans in Mexico City. Talent has never been the issue, with 47.5 sacks in 59 career games, so if he gets reinstated and keep himself right off the field Smith can bolster Oakland’s pass rush just in time for a potential playoff push.