Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elerson Smith spent a good portion of the 2023 NFL season on the team's practice squad. Last month, the club signed him to a future/reserve contract.
Smith was selected by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He would play eight games in his rookie campaign after missing the first eight games of the season with a hamstring injury that had him placed on IR. Smith posted eight combined tackles, two quarterback hits, and a forced fumble that year.
He would be placed back on IR with a neck injury ahead of New York's final game of the season.
The following season, Smith played in just five games for the Giants after being placed on IR with a foot/ankle injury. He registered a mere three combined tackles. He played just 14 defensive snaps. Smith then missed the last four games of the season after being placed on IR with an achilles injury.
The Giants would waive Smith last July. He was then signed to the New York Jets' practice squad in October before being released on Nov. 1. The Raiders then signed Smith to their practice squad later that month.
Smith is on a one-year, $985,000 contract.
While Smith's injury history poses reason for concern, he does have the benefit of playing for Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham when Graham held the same role with the Giants during Smith's first season in New York.
If Smith makes it to training camp and can stay healthy, his track record on the field indicates he has what it takes to make the 53-man roster.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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