Jack Del Rio confirms Sean Smith was benched vs Saints

When the opposing quarterback throws for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns against your defense, you’ve got some problems. That’s what the Raiders gave up to Drew Brees on Sunday, with the bulk of those yards going to receivers Willie Snead and Brandin Cooks.

Snead led the Saints in receiving with 9 catches for 172 yards and Cooks had quite a day in his own rite; catching 6 passes for 143 yards. The biggest catches for both players came with Sean Smith in coverage.

First it was Snead who got behind Smith up the left sideline for a 49-yard reception. It started off a drive in the second quarter that tied the game up at 10-10.

In the third quarter, Cooks burnt Smith and Brees connected with him for a 98-yard touchdown pass.

That last play would be Smith’s last of the game.

When the defense took the field again, Smith didn’t take the field; replaced by DJ Hayden out left with TJ Carrie playing the slot.

After the game, Jack Del Rio confirmed that Smith had been benched.

“Yes, he did [get benched].” said Del Rio. “He had a rough day. He’s going to play good football for us, he’s a good player, but he had a rough day and so, yeah, we took him out. He’ll be back.”

Smith was a major free agent signing by the team this offseason, coming over from the Chiefs on a 4-year, $40 million deal.