Illegal assault rifles, DUI’s and more leads to the San Francisco 49ers losing their best pass rusher for 9 games.
The San Francisco 49ers have already had one of the worse off-seasons among all teams, with lack of acquisitions and rumored internal problems; but now they will be without one of their most important players for the better part of the upcoming 2014 season.
Friday afternoon, the NFL announced Aldon Smith will be ineligible for the first 9 games of season, after violating the leagues substance abuse and personal conduct policies. Luckily, Smith will be available in both games against rival the Seattle Seahawks to make up ground.
Following multiple off-field incidents, where he made a bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport and pleaded no contest to three felony charges of possessing illegal rifles – the NFL took their time to think out a proper punishment. Along with standout linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who’s still recovering from knee reconstruction surgery until at least week 7, the 49ers are set to open their season next Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
#49ers LB Aldon Smith has been suspended for 9 games by NFL, can return to active roster on Nov. 10.
READ: http://t.co/u2WH41A55i
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 29, 2014
“Our organization has known this decision would come and we have prepared for it as a team,” 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said in a statement released by the team on Friday.
“Aldon has taken responsibility for his actions and has continued to show growth personally and professionally. We will continue to support him, but it is time to put this matter behind us and focus on the season ahead.”