San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith has been added to the active roster as cornerback Jimmie Ward is placed on injured reserve.
Already ruled out for Sunday, 49ers nickle cornerback Jimmie Ward was placed on injured reserve Saturday, ending his rookie season. Replacing Ward on the active roster is linebacker Aldon Smith.
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Smith returned from suspension on Tuesday and is ready to contribute for the 49ers.
Though there’s been no formal announcement that Smith will play against the Giants on Sunday, the roster move pretty much confirms it without an announcement, as per a report by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee.
The New York Giants have been preparing to see Smith this week.
"“He’s conditioned and studied and been in meetings with the team throughout. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he’s ready to go, they’ll have him in,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Thursday via ESPN New York. “He’s a very, very good pass rusher obviously.”"
The addition of Aldon Smith should immediately improve the 49ers defense going into the last half of the season. He has averaged nearly one sack per game, while the Giants have given up a total of 20 sacks this season, tied at 16th with the Miami Dolphins. Though it should be noted that half of those sacks came during their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Currently, the 49ers only have 15 sacks as a team, good for 25th in the NFL. Obviously Smith should bring that number up in the coming weeks.
How much playing time Smith will see on Sunday is uncertain, but most likely he will be rotated into passing situations with Ahmad Brooks and Aaron Lynch starting.
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