Jacquies

Smith

The tanking Raiders are scraping the bottom of the free agent barrel. Smith notched 13.5 combined sacks for the Bucs between 2014-15 but has not been able to stick anywhere since.

He made minimal impact as a rotational pass rusher in three games with Oakland.

Smith injured himself on a punt return and had to be carted to the locker room. He was spotted after the game walking with a crutch and sporting a “large brace” on his right knee. It is possible he is dealing with a serious injury.

Smith played one snap Week 1 before getting hurt against the Falcons. It’s an underrated loss for the Bucs after Smith finished second on the team in sacks each of the past two seasons, totaling 13.5 of them over that span. Tampa Bay will move forward with DEs Robert Ayers, William Gholston, and Noah Spence.

It’s worth $1.797 million for the former undrafted free agent, and entitles the Bucs to no compensation if Smith signs an offer sheet they decline to match. Smith has had the look of an on-the-rise player in the past, but tore his ACL last Week 1. He turns 27 later this month. Smith notched 13.5 sacks in 27 games between 2014-15.

The Bucs tendered Smith at the original round level. If Smith signs an offer sheet elsewhere and the Bucs decline, Tampa Bay won’t receive any draft pick compensation because Smith was undrafted. The 27-year-old missed all but one game last year after tearing his ACL in the Bucs’ season opener.

Smith shopped himself on the RFA market, visiting the 49ers in March, but he wasn’t able to lure a team into signing him to an offer sheet. He tore his ACL in last year’s season opener after leading the team in sacks the previous year. Smith will again be a rotational piece off the edge for Tampa.

Smith is eight months removed from a torn ACL. He’ll likely be moved slowly through training camp, but should be fine for Week 1. Smith will make $1.8 million before hitting free agency next offseason.

“I don’t think he’s too far off,” the coach said. Smith missed all of camp, but he was removed from the PUP list over the weekend and took a few snaps during practice Monday. He may not make it back for Week 1, but he should return soon.

Smith has been sidelined since a mid-July setback to his surgically-repaired knee. The Bucs are confident enough in his health that they expect him to return before Week 7. Smith is trending in the right direction, but his status for the start of the season remains up in the air.