The 49ers are going to have to begin their quest for glory without star linebacker Aldon Smith. After being handed his legal punishment in July, the NFL hit Smith with a nine-week suspension for violating the league's substance abuse and conduct policies.
Smith was hit with gun charges stemming from a 2012 house party and two DUI charges last September. He got off with pretty light punishment, and since then, the main concern has been the NFL. Smith didn't commit blatant domestic violence, so he lucked out a bit. At 24 years old, the punishment shouldn't be too much of a detriment to him as long as he keeps his head together in the future.
[via USA Today Sports]
