Raiders release DL Chris Smith

Despite signing with the Raiders in late August, Chris Smith is once again a free agent. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Las Vegas has released the veteran defensive lineman.

The 2014 fifth-round pick out of Arkansas spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jaguars, but he’s bounced around a bit since. After spending the 2017 campaign with the Bengals, Smith spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the Browns. He signed with the Panthers earlier this offseason, but he was cut by the organization in late July. He caught on with the Raiders a few weeks later.

In total, the 28-year-old has seen time in 60 regular-season games (two starts), compiling 67 tackles and 8.5 sacks. His 2017 and 2018 seasons proved to be two of the best of his career, as he averaged 15.5 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble per year.

Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby, Carl Nassib and  Arden Key seemed to be locked in at defensive end for the Raiders, so it wasn’t going to be easy for Smith to make the roster.