Aldon Smith Reinstated: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith has been reinstated by the NFL following his suspension for multiple violations this offseason.

Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee has the news:

For the 49ers, his return to action can't come soon enough. When Smith has been on the field, he's been one of the top pass-rushers in the NFL. In 43 career games over three seasons, he has a whopping 42 sacks, 137 tackles, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an interception.

Simply put, there aren't many players more feared in 3rd-and-long situations than Smith. 

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Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle detailed the role Smith would slip into:

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At any rate, Smith — one of the league’s premier pass rushers, with 42 sacks in his first three seasons — is back. He obviously should strengthen San Francisco’s pass rush, which has been ordinary most of this season.

Smith’s return to one outside-linebacker spot eventually will cut into playing time for Dan Skuta and Aaron Lynch, who teamed to replace Smith. Lynch could spell Brooks at the other outside spot.

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Staying on the field has become an issue in the past two years, however. Smith missed five games last season when he checked in to a substance-abuse rehab center, preceded by an arrest for driving under the influence.

Then things got even more troubling this offseason. Smith allegedly made a false bomb threat at an airport, though the charges were dropped. In July, he was sentenced to "11 days in a work program for his conviction on three assault weapons charges reduced to misdemeanors and two DUI charges," per NBCBayArea.com.

That prompted the NFL to issue a nine-game suspension in late August. Smith responded with the following statement via the NFL Players Association, per Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com:

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I apologize to my teammates, coaches, the entire 49ers organization and 49ers fans for not being able to contribute on the field for the next several weeks. Over the last year, I have learned a lot and I'm working hard to grow from my experiences. I want to thank my family and friends, my teammates, my union and the 49ers for supporting me during this process. I will be at work daily to participate in all permitted work activities, and to support my teammates, just as they have supported me.

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Without question, the Niners have missed Smith's presence on the field. With more than a few injuries to key defensive players this year—NaVorro Bowman has yet to play while recovering from an ACL injury, while Patrick Willis has missed the team's last three games—the Niners limped to a 4-4 start before pulling out an overtime victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 10.

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

With the Arizona Cardinals starting quickly this season and the Seattle Seahawks still possessing the core of last year's Super Bowl-winning team—despite starting slowly themselves—the Niners need to be at their very best on the defensive side of the ball if they are to return to the postseason.

Getting back Smith will be huge in that regard, though he's likely to be a bit rusty upon his return. Still, there's no question that his ability to rush opposing quarterbacks completely changes passing downs.

If Smith can avoid trouble off the field, there's no doubt that he has the ability to grow into one of the most disruptive and talented defensive players on the field in the years to come.