FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys signed defensive end Aldon Smith to a one-year deal per Jay Glazer. Smith has not played in the NFL since 2015. Dallas is once again taking a risk on an edge rusher.
He was suspended for a year on Nov.17, 2015, for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The NFL has yet to officially reinstate Smith but he applied for reinstatement and is waiting for a response from the league. Throughout his five-year pro career, Smith had numerous suspensions under both the substance abuse policy and the Personal Conduct Policy.
The 49ers selected Smith in the first round with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He amassed 44 sacks in his first three seasons and was a dominant pass rusher. He was cut by San Francisco during the 2014 season and Smith joined the Raiders in 2015. He played nine games with seven starts in 2015, totaling 3.5 sacks.
The Cowboys are in need of depth at defensive end. Robert Quinn signed with the Bears and Tyrone Crawford is expected to return from hip surgery on schedule for Training Camp and the offseason program, but will he be the same player post-surgery on the field. Roger Goodell could also potentially reinstate Randy Gregory, but the Cowboys decided to take a gamble on Smith.
