It appears Aldon Smith wants to play football again.
The Raiders linebacker applied for NFL resinstatement, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
"Aldon is doing well,” Oakland GM Reggie McKenzie said on Wednesday night “That situation is going to be totally up to the league because he’s been in the program and they’ve monitored him. It’s up to (Roger) Goodell to say yah, nay or when. And he could say no to everything … that part is out of our hands.
“The league will take everything into consideration and Aldon will have to meet with Goodell at some point.”
On Nov. 17, 2015, Smith was hit with a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's policy on substance abuse.
[REWIND: Questionable social media video appears to show Aldon Smith]
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In late July, a video surfaced on social media that appeared to show Smith holding a hand-rolled cigarette.
Less than a week later, Smith voluntarily checked himself into a treatment center.
As CSNCalifornia.com's Scott Bair wrote in July:
"Smith signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract with the Raiders that includes no guaranteed money. He cannot participate in team activities or have contact with Raiders personnel outside of the team’s director of player engagement.
Smith’s suspension under the NFL substance abuse policy falls under Stage Three banishment, meaning he can apply for reinstatement 60 days before his suspension ends in November. The NFL must approve his reinstatement, which will only occur if he follows stipulations required by the league’s substance abuse policy."
“Aldon is working out and getting ready,” McKenzie added. “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."
