The Oakland Raiders won't have LB Aldon Smith for their playoff push. Pro Football Talk reports that the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell have decided to not reinstate Smith at this time.
NFL will not be reinstating Raiders LB Aldon Smith this season, per source. Commissioner will revisit the case on March 15, 2017.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 30, 2016
Smith was eligible to return in the middle of November following a year-long suspension, but the NFL did not make a decision. They still have yet to make a formal announcement. The reports of a 60 day time frame for the commissioner to make a decision was proven incorrect, as the wording for the substance abuse policy made that 60-day period only a guideline, not a mandate.
Smith's most recent suspension came after he once again violated the NFL's substance abuse policy. In August of 2015, Smith was involved in an August incident where he was charged with hit and run, DUI and vandalism.
The Raiders had signed Smith to a contract extension with the hope of him playing at some point this year. He signed a two-year, $11.5 million deal, but only a fraction of that was guaranteed. Of course, given how little time there is left in the season, this was a likely conclusion.
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