The San Francisco 49ers have activated outside linebacker Aldon Smith, placing him on the 53-man roster, according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area. Smith is returning from a nine-game suspension for multiple violations of the league's substance abuse and personal conduct policies.
Aldon Smith activated by 49ers; will make season debut against Giants following suspension
Aldon Smith is back from suspension and will make his season debut against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Smith was reinstated from the suspension at the beginning of the week and the 49ers were granted a one-week roster exemption, but in order to have him active against the New York Giants on Sunday, they had to make room on the roster Saturday. To make room for Smith, the team placed rookie first-round pick Jimmie Ward on injured reserve. Ward has a foot injury and will hope to battle for a starting role next year.
As to how much Smith will be playing against the Giants, it doesn't seem likely he gets much playing time. Last season, Smith missed six weeks after checking himself into rehab following a DUI, and when he returned he played just 12 snaps off the bench. Against the Giants, expect Aaron Lynch and Ahmad Brooks to get the start with Smith coming off the bench in nickel pass-rushing situations.
It’s worth noting that Lynch has been one of the best linebackers in the league, which is huge given that he’s a rookie coming out of the late rounds of the draft. It seems likely that Smith will rotate in place of Brooks, though it’s impossible to tell how many snaps he’ll wind up taking. Whatever the case, getting Smith back is a big deal, given the long list of injuries to San Francisco’s defense this season.
That list includes Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, the two starting inside linebackers. Willis is out for the season with a toe injury and Bowman is still rehabbing a knee injury from the last postseason.
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