Aldon Smith will indeed make his debut for the Oakland Raiders when they open the season Sunday versus the Cincinnati Bengals. The pass rusher signed in Oakland on Friday.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Smith will play about 20 snaps, per a source informed of the team's plans. He also really impressed the Raiders with his conditioning, team sources told Rapoport. He chose the Raiders after turning down more lucrative offers from the Jaguars, Buccaneers and Redskins.
Smith is eligible to play until at least his Oct. 6 court date while the NFL investigates his most recent off-field incident: a trio of misdemeanor charges, which led to his release this offseason by the San Francisco 49ers. The Raiders are confident in the information they've received regarding the charges, which stem from a DUI arrest in August. The NFL has been involved and informed throughout the process, according to Rapoport.
Smith has publicly and privately said he was not driving, despite being charged with a DUI and he has told people it was 88 minutes from the time of the incident to when the cops showed up. He did consume alcohol, but only after he parked, he has told people, sources close to Smith told Rapoport.
On Friday, coach Jack Del Rio said he wasn't concerned about Smith not compiling practice reps before tossing into the fire.
It's safe to assume the Raiders will unleash Smith mostly in passing situations on his 20-or-so snaps. Watching Smith and second-year stud Khalil Mack on the same field engulfing Andy Dalton will make the Raiders' defense uber entertaining.
