Aldon Smith to debut for Raiders against Bengals

Just two days after signing with the Oakland Raiders, pass rusher Aldon Smith will play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

It will be Smith’s first game since the end of the 2014 season. He missed all of the preseason following his release from the San Francisco 49ers in early August following an arrest on a drunk driving charge. It was his third DUI arrest since he entered the NFL in 2011.

Smith was charged with three misdemeanors, including DUI, on Friday, hours after he signed his one-year contract with the Raiders.

The NFL could punish Smith under the NFL’s substance abuse policy that was collectively bargained by the league and the NFL Players Association last September. That policy includes stipulations for Commissioner Roger Goodell to impose enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.

But the Raiders were certainly aware of the risk of a future suspension when the signed Smith and clearly believe in his talent to put him in uniform so soon.

Smith, who has 44 career sacks, should immediately upgrade the Oakland defense, and especially its pass rush, as a complement to second-year outside linebacker Khalil Mack.

According to ESPN, Smith was expected to play about 20 snaps against the Bengals.

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Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones