Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith may be on the outside looking in for one of the team’s starting jobs.
Entering his ninth-season in the league, Smith started 15 games last season for the Raiders but has worked with the second-team cornerbacks for two consecutive days, according Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The Raiders seventh-round pick in 2014, cornerback T.J. Carrie, has been practicing with the first-team cornerbacks in Smith’s spot.
It appears that defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. and defensive assistant coach John Pagano want to reevaluate whether Carrie can handle playing with the first unit.
Smith recorded 40 combined tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions last season for the Raiders.
Before arriving in Oakland, the former Utah Ute played four seasons for the Miami Dolphins and three with the Raiders divisional rival the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith hasn’t performed to the ability the Raiders thought he would when they signed him to a four-year deal worth $38 million in March 2016.
With the selection of first-round pick Gareon Conley in April’s NFL draft, the Raiders front office might already be planning on taking their losses and moving on from Smith.
