NFL suspends Aldon Smith 1 year for substance abuse violation

The NFL has reportedly suspended Aldon Smith for one year.

The NFL has suspended Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith for one year, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Sports Illustrated’s Don Banks reports Smith has been suspended for a substance abuse policy violation.

Smith was involved in an incident on Aug. 7 in which he was arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run, driving under the influence and vandalism. Smith signed with the Raiders in September, on the same day he was charged with three misdemeanors. 

The arrest was Smith’s third for drunk driving and his fifth arrest in the last three years. The San Francisco 49ers released Smith hours after the August incident. 

Smith issued the following statement:

“First, I want to thank the Raiders, my teammates, the fans, our coaches and our owner for supporting me throughout all of this. I am taking this time to work on myself and become the man I need to be, my team and organization needs me to be, and I know I can be. I had lost my love for the game and it led me to some poor choices, but I am thankful to the Raider organization for believing in me this season and will continue to better myself and grow from my experiences. I look forward to rejoining the team next year.”

BANKS: Threat of suspension to Richardson has hung over AFC races

Smith has recorded 3 1/2 sacks and 28 combined tackles in nine games for the 4–5 Raiders. Smith was suspended nine games in 2014 for violations of the league’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies. He also missed five games in 2013 after voluntarily entering a rehabilitation facility.

- Rohan Nadkarni