NFL suspends Raiders' Aldon Smith for 1 year

Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith has been suspended for one year by the NFL for an August incident in which he was charged with his third DUI since entering the league.

The suspension, first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, is for a violation of the league's substance abuse policy following his arrest for DUI, hit-and-run, and vandalism. He is banned from playing for one year starting Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports.

The Raiders are expected to keep Smith through the suspension, as they were aware that discipline was likely when they signed him to a one-year deal in September, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

"Aldon has been a positive addition to the Raiders," the team said in a statement. "He remains prominently in our long term plans and we will continue to support this member of our family as he gets the help that he needs."

Smith has recorded 3.5 sacks over nine games this season with Oakland. He was seen by local media in the Raiders' locker room saying goodbye to teammates before the news broke.

The former seventh overall pick missed nine games in 2014 after he was disciplined under the league's personal conduct policy. Smith will not be automatically reinstated after a year and will have to demonstrate recovery before being allowed to return to the field.

Prior to signing with the Raiders, Smith was unceremoniously released by the San Francisco 49ers following his latest brush with the law. In four seasons with the 49ers, Smith tallied 44 sacks, including 19.5 in 2012 alone, as one of the league's most dangerous pass-rushers.