CHICAGO – Aldon Smith hasn’t been a Raider long. The former 49ers edge rusher signed with the Silver and Black on Sept. 11, just two days before opening the season against Cincinnati.
He spent the previous five weeks in exile following his release from the 49ers for another run-in with law enforcement. Smith was in great shape due to an intense personal training regimen, but he wasn’t as prepared for live action without a preseason to speak of.
Smith has showed some rust early this season, without a sack through three games. He started as a nickel pass rusher but merged into the base defense against Cleveland, largely from a 3-4 defensive alignment.