Raiders have 3 LBs injured. 2 of them are their starting MLB and WLB.
It was going to take a big injury hit to teams LBs for Smith to see a roster. He finally has his opportunity to show if he shouldn’t have still been on the PS this long.
The problem for Smith here is the Saints run a 4-2-5 base. Even when they face run heavy teams, they rarely come out of their 4-2-5. Do I agree with that philosophy? Not really, but it hasn't really cost the defense a win so hard to be critical of it.
Basically outside of an injury, Smith wasn't going to see the field because the other gameday active LBs all play Special Teams.
He will probably be a solid player for the Raiders. He was a great teammate here and it sucks he never really got to see the field because maybe he, Davis, and Werner on the field together wouldn't have let the Colts literally run over the Saints defense.