Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ryan Smith could be back in action soon after his four-game NFL suspension ended on Monday.
Smith was suspended by the commissioner on July 10 for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. He was allowed to participate in training camp and the preseason but was not allowed contact with the team during the first four weeks of the regular season.
The Buccaneers requested and received a one-week roster exemption for Smith beginning on Monday, which means he can practice with the team this week without counting against the 53-man roster. That exemption would end next Monday, October 7, but he also could be activated at any time before that date. He would have to be activated by Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET in order to be eligible to play in the Buccaneers' game at New Orleans on Sunday. At that time, the Buccaneers would have to make a corresponding move to create room for Smith on the 53-man roster.
The Buccaneers drafted Smith in the fourth round in 2016 and he has since played in 45 games with 16 starts. Last season, he played in all 16 games with six starts and recorded 38 tackles and one interception.
