Aldon Smith Injury: Updates on 49ers Star's Head and Return

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith had already missed nine games this season due to an NFL suspension. He suffered an apparent head injury that forced him to leave Saturday's game against the Chargers in the fourth quarter. He is not expected to miss the team's final game of the season.

The 49ers provided the report:

Smith would not return to the 49ers' 38-35 overtime loss, though he is not listed on the team's injury report heading into the team's Week 17 vs. the Cardinals.

When active, Smith has been outstanding off the edge for the 49ers. The Missouri product averaged nearly a sack per game over his first three seasons. He's certainly lived up to the hype of a top-10 selection, as he was in 2011. 

Aaron Lynch and Dan Skuta will likely resume the battle for snaps opposite Ahmad Brooks while the team's premier edge-rusher is sidelined. Neither is capable of matching Smith's production, which means the 49ers defense must create other ways of getting after the quarterback.