Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith might return to the NFL soon.
The decision rests in the hands of commissioner Roger Goodell after the Raiders announced Wednesday that Smith applied for reinstatement.
Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle captured Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie’s thoughts on the matter:
Aldon is working out and getting ready. 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.
Smith’s suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy expires in the middle of next month. He had served a nine-game suspension in 2014 after a pair of DUI arrests.
Despite the off-field trouble, Smith was a boon for the Raiders on the field over nine games, teaming with Khalil Mack to give the team one of the best pass-rushing duos.
As McKenzie noted, Smith’s health comes before anything else. The Raiders sit first in the AFC West at 5-2, though, and surely wouldn’t mind getting Smith back on the field to help.
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