Veteran linebacker hard-pressed to find Raiders roster spot

When he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in May after a successful tryout, linebacker Jaylon Smith was aiming to make a return to the NFL.

Despite a successful run with the Dallas Cowboys that included a Pro Bowl in 2019, injuries have done serious damage to Smith’s career prospects. It seemed as though Smith had a chance for a comeback, however, with the Raiders lacking depth at the linebacker position when he signed. However, with Germaine Pratt and Jamal Adams coming aboard recently, that opportunity is being threatened.

Suddenly, Smith faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster.

Recent roster projections have left Smith off the list.

In his most recent 53-man roster projection, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vincent Bonsignore does not have Smith making the cut.

He has the Raiders keeping six linebackers on the initial roster: Elandon Roberts, Devin White, Pratt, Adams, Tommy Eichenberg and Cody Lindenberg.

The glut of veteran linebackers on the roster could be a problem for Smith, as the team will likely decide to keep some young players around to balance out the positional room.

Roberts, White, Pratt and Adams, much like Smith, have years of starting experience under their belts. Despite Adams recently converting from safety to linebacker, he has been one of the more impressive players in both training camp and preseason for the Raiders. Meanwhile, Eichenberg and Lindenberg are recent draft picks of the team, and Amari Gainer is another young linebacker in the conversation.

Suddenly, Smith has found his journey back into the NFL limelight a lot more difficult.