McKenzie: Raiders won't bail on Aldon Smith

Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie won't turn his back on Aldon Smith despite the linebacker's latest off-field issues.

Smith reportedly entered a treatment facility late this week after a video posted to his Periscope account earlier in July appeared to show him smoking a joint. The NFL is investigating the video, and Smith's potential reinstatement in November could be in jeopardy.

McKenzie said his franchise wants Smith to get his life back on track, and football isn't the priority.

"We're going to support Aldon the person," McKenzie said, according to Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area. "Whether he comes back to us or not, that has no bearing on anything. We told him from day one that we care more about the person than the player. Whatever he does to ensure his health, we're going to stand behind him."

Smith joined the Raiders in September, but was only able to play in nine games before he was suspended for an incident that occurred prior to him joining Oakland.

McKenzie said his club knew what it was taking on when they gave Smith a two-year deal in April.

"We knew his situation," McKenzie said. "It's not like we had blinders on. Going into last year, we knew a suspension was probable. It's going to be an uphill battle for him. He's going to have to fight the good fight, but we’re not going to bail on him. He has to do his part."