San Francisco 49ers News: Aldon Smith Suspension Won’t Be Reduced After Failing To Complete Counseling

The San Francisco 49ers will be without pass rusher Aldon Smith for a bit longer, after the league reportedly refused to reduce his nine-game suspension.

League sources told ESPN that Smith failed to meet the requirements of an agreement that would have had his suspension reduced. Smith reportedly completed more community service than had been required of him, but he did not meet counseling protocol.

Aldon Smith had been suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy and substance abuse policy. In July, Smith was sentenced for a September 2013 arrest for drunk driving. Smith, who also had a DWI arrest in 2011, was sentenced to 11 days of work release for his offense.

Smith had other trouble as well, including three felony gun charges that were reduced to misdemeanors, and an incident in April in which he allegedly made a fake bomb threat in an airport. The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office ultimately declined to pursue charges on the incident.

Smith’s agent denies that he failed to complete his agreement with the NFL to have his nine-game suspension reduced.

“He upheld all requirements,” agent Doug Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson added that Aldon Smith was given no specific requirements for counseling, saying the 49ers pass rusher met both with counselors provided by the league and ones he sought on his own.

The San Francisco 49ers had hoped to have Aldon Smith back on the field for an important matchup against the New Orleans Saints. At 4-4, the 49ers are close to falling out of what is a tight wildcard race in the NFC.

Smith, who has averaged nearly a sack per game for his career, would have given the 49ers a big boost defensively. The team is without its top three linebackers, with Smith and NaVorro Bowman not playing yet this season and Patrick Willis out with a toe injury.

Hendrickson said that Aldon Smith was expected to be re-instated to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.