The San Francisco 49ers will begin the season without linebacker Aldon Smith.
On Friday the NFL suspended smith for nine games for violating their personal-conduct policy. Smith will not be eligible to return to the 49ers roster until Nov. 10 reports ESPN.
In July, Smith was given 11 days of work release for a September 2013 arrest for drunken driving. Smith has also had three gun felony charges knocked down to misdemeanors. In April the linebacker ran afoul of the law again when he was arrested for allegedly making a fake bomb threat. Those charges were later dropped.
Last season Smith missed five games when he left the team to enter a substance-abuse treatment center.
Smith, the No. 7 overall draft pick in 2011, has recorded 42 sacks in 43 regular-season games.
