49ers OLB Aldon Smith Will Return To Practice Next Week

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh announced that suspended OLB Aldon Smith will return to practice next week.

Harbaugh said LB @AldonSmith learned that he will return to practice next week as expected.

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 5, 2014

There has been talk Smith could be allowed to return earlier than his nine-week suspension for good behavior, but it became apparent that he would end up serving the full suspension earlier in the week.

Smith will be a welcomed addition for a 49ers’ defense that has been dealing with a number of injuries this season.

As of now, San Francisco ranks No. 15 in points per game with 22.3. They have, however, done a pretty good job of limiting yards to opposing offenses.

Smith, 25, still has two years remaining on his contract after San Francisco picked up his fifth-year option several months ago. It will be interesting to see if he’s capable of stepping in and returning to his previous form.

Last year, Smith recorded 34 tackles and 8.5 sacks over the course of 11 games.