NFL rejects reinstatement bid for Raiders defender (Yahoo Sports)

Oakland Raiders linebacker Aldon Smith was rejected in his bid for reinstatement after a year-long NFL suspension for multiple substance-abuse violations, the league announced Friday. Smith, 27, has been suspended for the past 22 games, and Sunday's regular-season Raiders finale against the Denver Broncos will add to that string. Smith, whose suspension was due to end November 17, had sought reinstatement in October.