Aldon Smith takes leave of absence from 49ers; will miss Week 4

On the field, Smith’s 2013 season got off to an excellent start. He had 4.5 sacks through the 49ers’ first three games.

Off the field was another matter. Smith was arrested for driving under the influence after wrecking his car on a tree in a single-vehicle accident in September. He stepped away from the team voluntarily and checked himself into rehab after police found marijuana and pills inside Smith’s vehicle. While Smith was in rehab, he was charged with felony weapons possession. He turned himself in on the gun charges Wednesday.

According to David Fucillo at 49ers blog Niners Nation, the latest on Smith could mean that the outside linebacker is out of rehab:

Smith is currently taking a voluntary indefinite leave of absence from the 49ers to allow himself time to sort out his issues. Recent reports indicate that the organization does not expect the uber-talented pass rusher to return this season. Smith appeared in the Niners’ first three games of the season and recorded 4.5 sacks.

Commissioner Goodell has hinted that Smith will face no further punishment if he continues his encouraging progress. Via ESPN:

Smith could either face a reduced suspension, fine or no further discipline, depending on how satisfied the NFL is with his rehab treatment. He played for the 49ers two days after his latest arrest, but was shortly allowed to leave the team to enter rehab.

The 49ers star is now in a rehabilitation facility while receiving his full pay from the team. However, Smith still has plenty of legal issues after being charged with three felonies in connection with a 2012 incident in which he was stabbed. All of the felonies are weapons related.

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Smith is currently on indefinite leave after being arrested for a DUI following a single-vehicle accident last month. When police searched Smith’s vehicle, they also found marijuana and pills. There is no word yet on whether Smith will be face further repercussions from the 49ers organization.

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Smith was arrested under suspicion of DUI last week following a single-car accident. He played in Sunday’s game against Indianapolis, but decided to take a voluntary leave of absence following the game. On Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the 49ers planned to place Smith on the non-football injury list once he registered for a treatment facility.

In a statement released by the team, general manager Trent Baalke said Smith was taking the leave to address a personal matter and the organization supported his decision. Smith said the break was to address his health.

No one has to report anything official regarding Smith’s potential length of absence, or what kind of treatment he will be receiving. This information is a guideline for the outside linebacker’s potential return. Indications so far suggest that Smith will be miss a significant chunk of the 2013 NFL season.

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But Ed Werder of ESPN reported that the final decision to play Smith on Sunday fell primarily on the shoulders of 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke. That’s what 49ers president Jed York told Werder, but York also added that he didn’t disagree with the decision.

Meanwhile, York said it didn’t make sense to sit Smith down while still paying him.

A series of reports indicated that Smith would receive treatment following the 49ers’ Week 3 game and could enter a rehabilitation facility. York did not mention if the leave of absence is related to further treatment plans aimed to get the 23-year-old linebacker healthy.

Smith has amassed 37.0 sacks in three years for San Francisco after being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Missouri. He recorded five tackles in Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Smith’s game status was in question after getting arrested for a DUI on Friday morning. He’s expected to face league discipline for his second DUI in as many years, but the 49ers will not immediately punish him. It’s unknown how much he will play in this game, but the team wants his pass-rushing talent for the game. Smith has 3.5 sacks in two weeks and recorded 19.5 last season.

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Smith was arrested on Friday morning after driving into a tree. He was reportedly found passed out, with his foot still on the accelerator. This is his second DUI arrest in his short NFL career -- he was arrested in January of 2012. He’s also the defendant in a pending lawsuit related to a shooting incident.

Smith is expected to receive discipline from the league office, but given the timing of the arrest, the NFL needs more time to let the legal process take its course. FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports that he could attend rehab as early as this week, and there is “genuine concern” over the talented but troubled young star. Smith has 3.5 sacks through the first two games of the season.

“I expect Aldon, like today, to be back to work and to play on Sunday,” Harbaugh told reporters after the team’s Friday practice.

Smith, 23, was arrested by the San Jose Police Department for suspicion of driving under the influence on Friday morning after he was involved in a single-car accident. Smith was also in possession of marijuana and pills, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

Smith had a prescription for the marijuana, according to Inman’s initial report via Twitter. Inman promptly corrected himself, saying that Smith does not have a prescription. Marijuana use is prohibited by NFL substance-abuse policy, regardless of whether or not the substance has been prescribed by a doctor.

The 49ers gave the Mercury News a statement acknowledging Smith’s arrest:

Through the first two games of 2013, Smith has 12 tackles, including 3.5 sacks. San Francisco has not yet made a statement on Smith’s situation. The linebacker also was arrested on DUI charges in Miami in Jan. 2012.

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