Former San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Aldon Smith is expected to be reinstated in March. NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport tweeted that Smith will be reinstated barring any slip-up in the drug program. He submitted a request late last year, but it was deferred.
Smith signed with the Oakland Raiders after the 49ers released him in August 2015. He was suspended midway through the 2015 season, and has missed 23 straight regular season games. He met with Goodell back in December but the league decided he should wait a bit longer. I’m hoping he has started to get his life back on track, whether he makes a successful return to the NFL or not.
The 49ers are currently in the midst of suing Smith to recover $341.630.18 in signing bonus money. Smith was suspended nine games while with the 49ers, which let the 49ers recover $1,186,027 in prorated signing bonus money. They recovered $844,396.82, but Smith failed to pay the remainder. An arbitrator ruled in the team’s favor on November, requiring Smith to re-pay the money within 30 days. The 49ers filed suit after he failed to pay.