The Dallas Cowboys are taking a chance that suspended defensive end Aldon Smith can help fill their need for an edge rusher.
The team has agreed to terms with Smith for the 2020 season, a source confirmed a report from Jay Glazer of Fox Sports.
It’s a one-year deal worth up to $4 million if he hits some incentives, per source.
It’s been chronicled that the Cowboys are hoping the possible return of suspended defensive end Randy Gregory will help at the position.
Gregory has not played since 2018 but is applying for reinstatement after being indefinitely for repeated violations of the substance abuse policy.
Smith, who has served multiple suspensions under both the substance-abuse policy and the Personal Conduct Policy, has not played since 2015.
His latest suspension arose from an alleged hit-and-run, DUI and vandalism incident.
Per an NFL Network report, he is also applying for reinstatement.
Smith, 30, the seventh overall choice of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 draft, was as good as anyone rushing the passer early in his career with 42 sacks in his first 43 games.
But he had repeated trouble with the league’s substance abuse policy. The 49ers cut Smith during the 2014 season.
His most recent suspension occurred during the 2015 season when he was with the Oakland Raiders.
The Cowboys need an edge rusher opposite DeMarcus Lawrence following the departure of Robert Quinn and his 11.5 sacks from 2019 to the Chicago Bears in free agency.
The possibility of Smith, Gregory and a healthy Tyrone Crawford, who is returning from off-season hip surgery, would go a long way toward filling the void.
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