Smith’s return on hold

Reinstatement ruling deferred

Suspended Oakland Raiders pass rusher Aldon Smith will not be reinstated by the National Football League this season.

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Friday the league has deferred a decision on Smith’s petition for reinstatement and will begin consideration in March.

Smith had been suspended in November 2015 for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse. He was eligible to be reinstated Nov. 17 and met with Commissioner Roger Goodell earlier this month to make his case to return.

Smith’s current suspension stemmed from an arrest in August 2015 on charges of drunken driving, hit and run, and vandalism, which led to his release by the San Francisco 49ers.

That was Smith’s fifth run-in with the law since joining the NFL as a first-round pick by San Francisco in 2011.

Smith, 27, signed with Oakland in September 2015 and played nine games before being suspended for a second time by the NFL.

Fines issued: Two members of the Kansas City Chiefs were docked a total of $30,385 for their actions in their victory over Denver last week.

Defensive tackle Chris Jones was fined $18,231 for his forearm shiver to quarterback Trevor Siemian well after the ball was thrown.

Also docked was Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris ($12,154) for using the football as a prop and putting it after catching defensive tackle Dontari Poe’s 2yard touchdown toss in the closing minutes. Harris is a former UW-Milwaukee basketball player.

Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane was hit with the biggest fine of Week 16 — $27,236 — for an uncalled hit on Arizona tight end Jermaine Gresham, who was docked $12,154 for taunting after the play.

Bennett’s contract extended: Michael Bennett and the Seattle Seahawks reached agreement on a threeyear contract extension that will keep the defensive end under contract through the 2020 season.

The 31-year-old Bennett’s deal begins with the 2018 season and is worth up to $31.5 million, including $16 million in the first year of the new contract.

Peterson won’t play: Adrian Peterson is listed as out for the season finale against the Chicago Bears, leaving open the possibility the star running back has played his final game for the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson was listed as having groin and knee injuries. He missed 11 games with a torn cartilage in his right knee, returned for one game and has missed the final two games of the year.

Peterson, 31, is under contract for more than $18 million next season and it is unlikely the Vikings will keep him at that price.