With nine days to go until the 49ers open the 2014 regular season, the franchise still hasn’t heard whether linebacker Aldon Smith will be available for Week One.
Smith met with Commissioner Roger Goodell more than three weeks ago, with no decision yet on the number of games he’ll miss for multiple violations of the personal-conduct and substance-abuse policies.
The NFL has developed a habit over the years of resolving suspensions based on offseason developments before the start of the next regular season. For Smith, who’ll have appeal rights, it becomes more and more difficult to get everything resolved in the next nine days.
Either way, the clock is ticking. Loudly. If an initial decision doesn’t come today, Smith may end up being available to play on September 7 against the Cowboys.