Aldon Smith, Justin Smith continue to rehab from surgeries

The 49ers’ Aldon Smith and Justin Smith are both on schedule with rehab, according to reports.

Apr 17, 2013, 8:55 PM UTC

Ezra Shaw

Two linchpins in the 49ers defensive front seven, linebacker Aldon Smith and defensive end Justin Smith, are going through rehabilitation from offseason surgeries and both are on schedule, according to CSN Bay Area.

Justin Smith's surgery was the week after the team's Super Bowl loss and was to repair a partially torn triceps tendon. His rehab was expected to take three months. Aldon Smith's surgery was in early March and was to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Like Justin Smith, he is expected to be ready for the offseason conditioning program.

Niners general manager Trent Baalke said on Wednesday that both the Smith’s will be fine and that Justin Smith has no limitations and Aldon is a little behind, which is to be expected:

“They’re working hard,” Baalke said. “Justin, right now, he has no restrictions, no limitations to my knowledge on anything that he’s doing. They might be a little conservative with him at this stage, which you’d expect that to be.
“Aldon is coming along, as well. He’s probably not as far along. He’s certainly getting back ... I hate to put a percentage of it.”

Justin Smith was the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick in 2004 out of Missouri. After seven years with the Bengals, he signed with the 49ers as an unrestricted free agent and has represented the team in the Pro Bowl the last four consecutive years. He has made 788 tackles in his career, including 75.5 sacks.

Aldon Smith was selected in the first round, also out of Missouri, by the 49ers in 2011 and over the last two years he has emerged as the team’s best pass-rusher. He has made 103 tackles, including 33.5 sacks, 19.5 of which came in 2012.

The 49ers found so much success in 2012 not only thanks to a bold move that put Colin Kaepernick behind center, but because of their top-ranked defense. The Niners finished the 2012 regular season with the third-ranked defense and much of their future success will depend on the health of both Smiths.