Rod Smith

On March 25, 2020, Smith was re-signed to a one-year contract.

When Elliott was suspended for six games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, Smith ended up earning more playing time behind Alfred Morris. On Thanksgiving Day against the Los Angeles Chargers, Smith scored his first professional touchdown on a 2-yard rush. He finished the game with 41 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and seven receiving yards. During Week 13 against the Washington Redskins, Smith ran for 27 yards and a touchdown as the Cowboys won by a score of 38-14.

Smith wasn’t a factor on offense as the backup running back, but maintained his role as a core special teams player. His most action on offense came in the season finale against the New York Giants, registering 12 carries for 35 yards and one touchdown, when starter Ezekiel Elliott sat out to rest for the playoffs. His numbers decreased from the previous season to 44 carries for 127 yards and one touchdown.

On May 8, 2019, Smith signed with the New York Giants. He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2019. He was released from injured reserve with an injury settlement on September 10.

On October 8, 2019, Smith signed with the Tennessee Titans. He was released on November 12.

On December 10, 2019, Smith was signed by the Oakland Raiders.

Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Cowboys on January 16, 2017. In 2017, he returned to running back behind Ezekiel Elliott, Alfred Morris, and Darren McFadden. During the preseason, he was moved up to third-string because of his improved play and production on special teams. On September 17, in week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Smith had his first two carries with the Cowboys, which went for eight yards during a 42–17 defeat.

In 2016, Smith was moved to fullback during OTAs, although he did not have the traditional size and body. He competed with converted linebacker Keith Smith for the position and both made the team, although Rod was used only for special teams purposes. On November 3, after injuries to Morris Claiborne and Barry Church, the Cowboys were forced to release him to make room for cornerback Leon McFadden. Smith was re-signed to the practice squad two days later. At the time, he was tied for second on the team with four special teams tackles.

Smith was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks after the 2015 NFL Draft on May 2. He was waived on September 5 and signed to the practice squad the next day.

On October 14, 2015, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys. He became the third-string running back after Joseph Randle was released on November 3. He appeared in 10 games, playing mainly on special teams and having one kickoff return for 26 yards.

Smith accepted a football scholarship from Ohio State University as a highly rated recruit. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in 10 games, opening the season against the University of Akron with 18 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. The next week against the University of Toledo he started to show a fumble problem, diminishing the coaching staff confidence in him. His production was limited the rest of the season behind Dan Herron, Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall. He registered 29 carries for 116 yards and one touchdown, while playing mainly on special teams. He was also suspended after missing the team flight to the 2012 Gator Bowl.

Rod Smith (born January 10, 1992) is an American football running back for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college football at Ohio State.