Niners plan to ease Aldon Smith back in

Posted by Mike Florio on November 8, 2013, 4:20 PM EST
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On Sunday, the man who has collected 38 sacks in 35 regular-season games will return to the 49ers after a five-game absence.  It’s unlikely that linebacker Aldon Smith will rack up a bunch of sacks against the Panthers.

Per a league source, the plan currently is to ease Aldon in, with Smith expected to participate in a maximum of 20 to 25 percent of the defensive snaps.

It will be Smith’s first game in seven weeks.  The 49ers went 5-0 without him.

Overall, the 49ers are 6-2.  Beyond Smith, they’ll also eventually get back receiver Michael Crabtree.

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32 responses to “Niners plan to ease Aldon Smith back in”

  4. There is no way this guy should have been suspended in the first place. He’s a young man, he likes to go out and have fun. So what? Everyone on these boards done the exact same thing: a few drinks, a lot of fun. Why is he held to a different standard? Bank on it!

  7. I call BS.

    He was only going to play on a limited basis against the Colts too…and then he played every single snap.

    As for avoiding discipline…yup. Good plan. Lets avoid that 4 game suspension by sending him to rehab for 5 weeks. Genius.

  8. Saying they are going to ease him back in is like dragging a dead whale carcass out into a known Great White Shark location and expecting nothing to happen. That carcass is history.

    ….and once Aldon gets that “taste of blood” in his mouth via that first sack……it’s all over.

  9. For PR that sounds good, but disrespectful to the Panthers. When the game starts, he’ll play his normal number of snaps.

    He will be needed against Cam. As a matter of fact, Aldon will be the designated Cam-stopper and he will fail.

    Panthers win!!!

  10. @thegreatgabbert

    You are correct!!! he only plays about 50% of the snaps…

    …because he doesn’t play on offense.

  11. In response to a few posters above, I have to imagine that the suspensions haven’t been avoided, but since he was in rehab, Goodell and others couldn’t interview him before deciding on the punishment.
    Until the suspensions come down (hopefully next year so he doesn’t miss the playoffs), he is allowed to play. As a 9ers fan, I actually hope that Vic sticks to the plan. Aldon is a beast on the field, but I think the defense seems to run smoother with him coming off the bench than as a true starter. I think they get too focused on QB pressure with him in there, which works on situational downs, but on early downs they appear more balanced when he’s not on the field.
    And that’s not a knock on his talent, I just think some players are better for situational plays and some are every down players. This will also allow for the influx of new players to get some playing time and keep the main guys healthy for the post season.

  13. No jedi mind trick. Aldon will still get suspended for 1-2 games because the NFL has to assert its authority. Nothing wrong with that either, you can’t let people who break the rules to choose their own punishment. Naturally Goodell is happy to see a player/team take the initiative and seek help, but he still has to show that breaking the rules will result in a suspension.

  14. This is pure PR b. s.

    The 49ers have had more than their share of PR problems this year because they have a lot of people with problems…from an arrogant coach who thinks he is better than everyone and players that reflect his attitude in their words and actions.

    The only thing that’s changed at their HQ is that they’ve taken a lower profile after all the hits they’ve taken for being jerks

  15. If LT Jordan Gross is left in too many on-on-one matchups with Smith on Sunday, the Panthers could have problems. Gross has really struggled in pass pro. Cam Newton might be running for his life.

  16. @kleppnasty

    Actually, don’t be surprised if Aldon isn’t suspended at all. Goodall has already said Aldons time in rehab will be looked at when deciding any discipline from the league and that the goal is to prevent the behavior in the future, not to punish a guy. The fact that they got him in rehab right away and that they voluntarily had him miss 5 weeks will very possibly prevent any suspension at all, but he’ll probably still be fined in a big way.

  18. No t5he 48ers didn’t do jedi-mind tricks, and Smith hasn’t avoided NFL suspension. The NFL waits until legal proceedings are complete before they act

  20. ma5terbla5t3r says: Nov 8, 2013 4:30 PM

    There is no way this guy should have been suspended in the first place. He’s a young man, he likes to go out and have fun. So what? Everyone on these boards done the exact same thing: a few drinks, a lot of fun. Why is he held to a different standard? Bank on it!

    Please tell me this is sarcastic.

    Does every young man get indicted for multitple felonies?

  22. To: wimpyburgers says:
    Nov 8, 2013 5:25 PM
    This is pure PR b. s.
    The 49ers have had more than their share of PR problems this year because they have a lot of people with problems…from an arrogant coach who thinks he is better than everyone and players that reflect his attitude in their words and actions.

    The only thing that’s changed at their HQ is that they’ve taken a lower profile after all the hits they’ve taken for being jerks.

    ___________________________________

    !!!!!GO NINERS !!!!!

  23. Aldon is done; washed up. Once players start down this road there never the same. As for the niners under BIG BABY JIM they choke as much as the bills in the big games. Look for the same this year.

  24. But everybody on this forum will rip Suh after reviewing his every move. Hypocrites.

  25. Their young talented pass rusher is an alcoholic. Rehab does work for those ready to turn their lives around but getting back in that same environment is the challenge begins to stay healthy / clean.

  26. This entire franchise is infected with a warped sense of entitlement, from the fans to the players and their cry babby coach. They want special rules for the read option and press coverage and exemptions from the player conduct code. What’s next 5 downs and 3 point conversions?

  28. Hes still got those felony gun charges pending…
    But none of the 9’er fans even care about that, because they do too!

  30. I can see him avoiding suspension for the DUI. He/the 49ers basically self-imposed a 5-game suspension. That’s more than the league would have done.

    Now, the impending felony gun charges? That’s another matter entirely.

  31. Let’s not minimize this…The dude got drunk and drove..and got drunk and fired weapons at people. Not here to judge, but this was no minor offenses.

  32. Nobody who enters a drug and alcohol rehab facility for treatment is deemed rehabilitated in less than two months…A.Smith shouldn’t be allowed nowhere near an NFL football field or facility until after his day in court for all his charges…what a bunch of BS that is…Goodell all of a sudden becomes a Softly when it comes to disciplining players who break the law and NFL code of conduct policy…Hope A.Smith blows out both knees when gets on the field this Sunday.

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