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49er Aldon Smith Suspended For First 9 Games

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - The NFL has suspended San Francisco 49er sack specialist Aldon Smith for the first nine games of the 2014 season.

The 49er linebacker was punished for violating the league's personal conduct policy and for substance abuse. He won't be eligible to return to the lineup for the 49ers until November 16th game at the New York Giants.

Smith was arrested for DUI last September, and had a run-in with TSA screeners at Los Angeles International in November, but charges related to that incident were later dropped.

Smith, 24, was sentenced to three years of probation and community service for drunk driving and weapons charges after a January 2012 party at his home. Two party-goers were injured and Smith himself was stabbed in that incident. Investigators said they found five unregistered weapons in his home at that time.

Here's a video recap of his troubles:

Smith took a five-game leave of absence from the team last season to undergo treatment for substance abuse after a previous DUI arrest in Miami. He is considered one of the most talented pass-rushers in the game, racking up 42 sacks in his first three years in the league after being drafted 7th overall by the Niners in the 2011 draft.

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