The San Francisco 49ers will be a bit stronger on defense this weekend, as linebacker Aldon Smith has returned to the team after dealing with some off the field issues and the team activated him off of the non-football injury list for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers.
According to ESPN.com, Smith returns to the team after being arrested for drunk driving as well as other issues and he spent time off the field at a an alcohol treatment center and now he is ready to return. The report says that he met with head coach Jim Harbaugh and the team felt comfortable activating him back onto the roster. Harbaugh said that he looks good and that the team was happy to have him back in the locker room.
Smith is just 24-years-old and has dealt with a number of off the field issues, including some incidents with guns and now he looks like he will suit up for the next game the team has at Candlestick Park against the Carolina Panthers. The team is currently on a bye week after playing against the Jaguars in London and then they will host Cam Newton and the improved Carolina Panthers. Smith is a big part of the defense and while the 49ers have continued winning, his presence was missed on the field and now the team gets back one of the most talented linebackers of young players in the sport.
The report says that Smith will be able to practice this week without being put on the active roster with the bye week and the 49ers paid him while he missed time. Smith has amassed nearly 40 sacks over the past three seasons, including 4.5 this year while playing in three games. This year he has been charged with a number of issues, including one about an assault weapon he had during a party and later for the DUI issue.
Smith had had a number of issues in the past before, including another driving incident and this also stems back to when he was in college. The 49ers have not lost a game without Smith and now he returns for the final half of the season and it remains to be seen whether the 49ers can catch the Seahawks in the division standings out West.
