The odyssey of Aldon Smith’s NFL career took another turn Wednesday. The one-time, all-league pass-rusher was conditionally cleared for reinstatement by the NFL.
This means, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former San Francisco 49er and Oakland Raider, can take part in the Dallas Cowboys’ virtual off-season training program. He’s eligible to join Cowboys offseason activities this coming May 26.
Smith was signed by Dallas in the offseason. He has not played in an NFL game since 2015 due to numerous abuse issues and troubles with the law.
He was the seventh pick overall in 2011 by the 49ers and rocketed to stardom. The former Missouri defensive stalwart had 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons with the Niners. He added 10.5 more in 2013 and ‘2014.
In 2013, Smith had 4.5 sacks in the first three games. Smith was involved in a single-vehicle accident in San Jose. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. After the loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the third week of the football season, he voluntarily entered a rehabilitation facility, to be put onto the non-football injury list with an indefinite leave of absence.
The next year, Smith Smith served a nine-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policies. He was reinstated in Week 11. On Aug. 7, 2015, following an arrest for his third DUI, Smith was released by the 49ers.
He signed with the Raiders in 2015 and found more trouble, eventually being suspended by the NFL, again. He missed the 2016 and ’17 seasons while on suspension. Following an alleged domestic violence incident, the Raiders released Smith on March 5, 2018.
He signed with Dallas in April, a one-year deal.
