Smith, a fourth-year outside linebacker, was the first target of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's post-Ray Rice justice. Smith had committed a variety of offenses over the months prior to the start of the 2014 season, from weapons charges to DUI to an alleged bomb threat, and Goodell levied the nine-game suspension in the wake of criticism that he had gone too easy on Rice for a domestic-violence incident.
"There’s consequences for our actions, good and bad," 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said in announcing Smith's return. "Good consequences for good action. And there’s accountability. He has served that. He has done that. Look forward to moving forward in a fresh, clean slate."
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On the football field, Smith is a preternaturally talented linebacker, with 42 sacks in 43 games. The 49ers will welcome him back from a defensive standpoint; they're now 5-4 and in an uncertain battle for a playoff spot. Smith will naturally be rusty without having played since August, but he was permitted to practice with the team and attend meetings, keeping him in the loop.
An easy target for an even tougher suspension should he err again, Smith will be under intense scrutiny to remain on the right side of the law and the NFL's conduct policy.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter.
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