Former All-Pro Aldon Smith will not be reinstated as an active player during the 2016 season. This, despite completing a one-year suspension stemming from a hit-and-run incident that also brought DUI and vandalism charges for the outside linebacker.
Smith applied for reinstatement, but will not be available to the Raiders. His case will be revisited by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in March, according to Pro Football Talk.
The Oakland Raiders earned their first playoff berth since 2001, but the team’s defense certainly could’ve used the help. Oakland gave up more than 400 yards in five of its first six games in 2016, although it has settled in and played better in the latter half of the season.
Still, with Derek Carr lost to a fractured leg, more pressure will be on the Raiders defense to perform in Week 17 and the playoffs with Matt McGloin at quarterback.
Smith is a talented player, but he’s made more headlines with his actions off the field than on it. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2013 after recording 19.5 sacks for the San Francisco 49ers. In the four seasons since, a smattering of arrests and suspensions resulted in him playing only 27 of a possible 58 games.
The New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs both strengthened their grips on a wild card berth with wins on Sunday, as well.
On Sunday Night Football, the Patriots clinched a spot in the playoffs with a win over the Texans. They had a chance to clinch the AFC East as well, but that required a Jets loss and that didn’t happen. For the Texans, are battling to get into the playoffs either with a wild card spot or by winning the AFC South. They fell back to No. 2 in the division after falling to the Pats.
Below is an updated look at the playoff picture following the morning and afternoon games on Sunday.