ALAMEDA -– New Raiders defensive lineman Antonio Smith had surgery following a weight room mishap during the offseason program, according to a league source.
That news was broken last week by ESPN reporter Paul Gutierrez.
It remains uncertain exactly when the accident happened or what was injured, but the offseason acquisition is going to miss some time.
Head coach Dennis Allen said the surgery was of little concern and should not hinder the explosive interior pass rusher for the long term.
“We’ll have to see how he responds,” Allen said Friday. “He’s been doing really well. We’re going to try and play that by ear. I’m hopeful we’ll have him out here for at least some of the OTAs or the (mandatory June 9-12) minicamp.”
