NFL suspends Raiders Aldon Smith for one year

The NFL has suspended Raiders pass rusher Aldon Smith for one year for violation of the league's substance abuse policy as first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The suspension stems from an incident last August that had the Santa Clara DA office file charges against him for DUI with prior, hit and run with property damage, and vandalism.

The one-year suspension is due to his having prior a prior suspension for substance abuse. Smith had an arraignment in October but has yet to be convicted of any of the three charges filed against him.

Smith had been signed by the Raiders two days before the start of the season and appeared in the team's first nine games this season. The Raiders set up his contract to prepare for the possibility that he could be suspended. They are also expected to stand by Smith and bring him back following his suspension. Smith has raved about the support system in place for him in Oakland.