Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith is facing a one-year suspension for substance abuse, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from Rand Getlin of NFL.com. Adam Schefter of ESPN added that Smith's suspension stems from his role in an incident on August 28.
UPDATE, 6:15 p.m.: The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that Smith walked around the Raiders locker room after practice on Tuesday, saying goodbye to teammates.
Smith, a former first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, was released by the Niners after his fifth arrest since entering the league - and third since 2012 - allegedly for a hit and run and DUI, in early August. Smith was also suspended for nine games of the 2014 NFL season for violating the league's policies on substance abuse and personal conduct.
The Raiders signed Smith shortly before the season and he has been a mainstay in Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio's defense since.
Don't expect that to change with the looming suspension. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that the team plans to stick with Smith, despite losing the pass rush maven for a year.
The #Raiders are going to stick with Aldon Smith through his suspension, I'm told. They were expecting this to come down.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 17, 2015
Through nine games for the silver and black this season, Smith has 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
