The hammer has been dropped on Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith as the veteran pass rusher will be suspended for an entire year for his involvement in an incident back in August. News that impacts the Raiders chances in the AFC Wild Card race.
Smith signed with the Raiders just days before the start of the NFL season with the cloud of a possible suspension following him. Despite the possibility of a suspension the Raiders signed Smith, beating out several teams who were still willing to sign the linebacker despite Smith’s potential discipline from the league.
Smith has been suspended for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy and will miss a year starting immediately.
The NFL has suspended Aldon Smith for a year, effective immediately, for violating the substance abuse policy. (@AdamSchefter 1st reported)
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 17, 2015
The Raiders took a chance on Smith knowing that this could be the outcome, but the blow comes at a time where Oakland could use Smith’s presence the most as a veteran leader with a 4-5 record. Losing that winning experience on their defense could be the final setback for the Raiders who are falling out of the Wild Card race after two straight losses. Without Smith, the Raiders defense might not be up to the task as the news of a one-year ban for Smith is a sudden end to a successful first season with the franchise for the former 49er.