NFL Suspensions: 5 players who will be missed the most

4. Aldon Smith – San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith has been suspended nine games by the NFL. Smith, a repeat offender of the league’s personal conduct policy, was recently sentenced on weapons and DUI charges stemming from separate arrests in 2012 and 2013. With the bye week, that means we won’t see Smith until the Nov. 16 game against the New York Giants.  Smith will miss the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, and New Orleans Saints contests. He will be available for both Seattle Seahawks games and the match-up with the San Diego Chargers.

The combined loss of Smith and NaVorro Bowman, due to injury, is a colossal blow to the best linebacker organization in football.  Smith has 42 sacks in 43 career regular-season games, impressive results that Corey Lemonier and Dan Skuta cannot hope to match.  While Lemonier is poised to break out this season, there’s a significant gap between his level of play and that of an All-Pro performer like Smith. It is worth noting, of course, that the 49ers won all five games Smith missed last season.

However, those five teams combined for a 30-50 record, so it was not exactly a test of the toughest competition.  By comparison, the nine teams the 49ers will play during Smith’s suspension had a record of 85-59 in 2013.  The 49ers need to get through the Smith suspension and the Bowman injury in a decent enough position to challenge for at least a wild-card spot, if not the division title outright.  As long as the 49ers can get into the postseason, they will have the advantage of having Bowman and Smith relatively rested for the stretch run.