Report: Aldon Smith Won’t Return Early From Suspension

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith will serve the full nine-game suspension levied against him by the NFL.

While rumors suggested that Aldon Smith might return to the San Francisco 49ers earlier than his original nine-game suspension dictated, it appears those rumors will remain just that, per ESPN’s Ed Werder.

Source says Aldon Smith nine-game suspension won't be reduced, so he's out Sunday vs Saints
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) November 5, 2014

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Sunday’s Week 10 game against the Saints will be the last of Smith’s suspension either way, but the team was hoping to have its star defensive player back in time for a huge game in New Orleans.

Smith, a member of the single season 20-sack club, has been sorely missed by a 49ers team that hasn’t been quite as dominant on defense as in years past. The team currently sits three games behind the AFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals and one game behind defending champ Seattle Seahawks.

Smith was suspended per the league’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies and while he’s been a model citizen since the NFL took such action, it won’t be enough to get him on the field early. The team’s website did note that Smith will immediately be inserted in the lineup upon return.

If Colin Kaepernick and crew can keep up with the Saints on the road and lift themselves to 5-4 before Smith’s return, it would be a huge boom to the talented but struggling 49ers.

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