The NFL will not be reinstating Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith this season, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). The commissioner will revisit the case on March 15, 2017. 
Smith was suspended in November 2015 and has been eligible to return for several weeks now. His camp was pushing Roger Goodell to reach a decision on the matter, but for one reason or another, the league office will table things until the early part of the 2017 league year. Meanwhile, Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory is playing as he appeals his one-year suspension from the league. The two situations are not exactly identical, but the disparity does not sit well with many fans.
Smith has had multiple run-ins with the league’s substance abuse policy and his latest slip-up led to him spending roughly four months in a rehab clinic. Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie indicated in October that Smith’s issues are under control after treatment. Of course, there are two sides to every story and it is possible that Smith has not fulfilled all of the prerequisites for reinstatement.
The Raiders have secured their spot in the playoffs, but they’ll have to forge ahead without the services of Smith or quarterback Derek Carr. On the plus side, they can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed this weekend if they beat the Broncos and the Patriots fall to the Dolphins.
Per the terms of the two-year extension signed with Oakland in April 2016, Smith is under contract with the Raiders through 2017.
I don’t get why the NFL gives out these suspensions then does not reinstate them after the suspension is up.
Roger thinks he’s saint peter at the pearly gates ! He doesn’t get the part to forgive so that he will be forgiven!!!!! I feel that clown won’t be around much longer ratings down the league is in worst shape now then it was before he got there!
So the nfl is ok with a player not standing for the national anthem,but not someone who served his suspension?
Get over it man. It hurts no one physically, just people’s feelings
It’s definitely cuz of that video of him smoking a blunt that came out this summer, makes the process have to start all over. Aldon dumb af smh
Goodell thinks he’s obuma, we need to get rid of the little hitler
He should have hit his girlfriend instead, he’d be playing again already.
Just like Ray Rice is playing again
He was reinstated. No team wanted him. Big difference.
Regardless of what anyone believes about the suspension itself, Smith absolutely deserves to get some sort of answer about what his status is. The way Goodell constantly says “nah I’ll do it later” for matters like this is infuriating, and the fact that it’s not gonna change because it doesn’t affect their bottom line pisses me of even more.
He served his suspension just like everyone else in the league that gets popped for drunk driving, drugs, assault, rape, shooting themselves, etc. Yet they all come back as soon as their suspension is up.
If you don’t think Aldon should be able to come back then you should think nobody should be able to come back. End of story.
Aldon been caught up since then commish just setting him up for the lifetime ban
Another reason to hate the NFL. Goodell makes it hard to watch games anymore. It’s been years since I watched a sub par bowl and don’t plan on anytime soon even if my favorite team gets in.
If they give him a lifetime ban, so be it, but leaving the guy in purgatory until you feel like dealing with it is ridiculous.
If he served his suspension, what’s the deal? That’s the whole point of a suspension, isn’t it? You serve your time and then can come back.
The commish hates the Raiders and should be fired . The commish should be laying down an indefinite suppesion to Johnny Mannziel for all he has done.
Goodwill is a joke he reinstates guys that are testing positive but won’t reinstate Aldon. He was so in professional about the situation. It took that long to give a no come on man get with commish
*Goodell
@RedRaider are you guys serious with this anthem nonsense! The NFL doesn’t even televise the stupid anthem! Moron Goodell didn’t reinstate Smith because he’s had one too many chances !