Cowboys sign suspended Smith

The Dallas Cowboys are taking a chance on Aldon Smith, reportedly signing the former 49ers and Raiders defensive end to a contract while his playing status in the NFL is uncertain.

A person with direct knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press that Smith signed Wednesday with Dallas. Smith posted a picture of himself signing a document on Instagram and wrote, “Life is good. I’m thankful. I’m blessed. I’m a Cowboy.”

Smith hasn’t played in the NFL since 2015, when he was suspended for violating the league’s substanceabuse policy while with the Raiders. It wasn’t clear where Smith stands in the reinstatement process.

Smith, 30, had several legal issues as a player with San Francisco and Oakland. He first was suspended with the 49ers in 2014 before receiving a oneyear ban in November 2015 with the Raiders.

Baseball: Jerry Blevins, the longtime A’s reliever who signed a minorleague contract with the Giants in January, has been released. Blevins, 36, was invited to bigleague camp but struggled in six outings. He gave up nine runs on 10 hits in 32⁄3 innings, a 22.09 ERA. Blevins broke into the majors with the 2007 A’s and stayed with Oakland through the 2013 season. He also pitched for the

Nationals, Mets and Braves.

— John Shea Obituary: Ed Farmer, a former majorleague reliever who spent nearly three decades as a broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox, has died at the age of 70. The White Sox said he died Wednesday night in Los Angeles following complications from an illness. A Chicago native, Farmer spent three (197981) of his 11 bigleague seasons with the White Sox. He was an AllStar in 1980 when he recorded 30 saves. Farmer pitched in five games for the A’s in 1983. College basketball: Oregon State guard Destiny Slocum has opted to enter the transfer portal for her final season of eligibility. She made the AllPac12 team this season, averaging 14.9 points and 4.7 assists per game.