Niners OLB Aldon Smith pleaded no contest Wednesday to charges of weapons possession and DUI.  He's set for a July 25 sentencing hearing, with the potential penalty ranging from no jail time to a little more than 4 years in prison.  Either way, the no contest plea opens up the process for the league to decide on potential punishment.  Considering Smith's recent off-field record, we'd bet on a suspension of at least a game or 2.  We'll see how this affects the 2014 IDP rankings.  Of course, any significant time away would likely also affect a Niners team D that already expects to miss LB NaVorro Bowman for up to half the season.

49ers LB Aldon Smith was arrested at Los Angeles Airport after allegedly yelling "bomb" near the security gate.  Smith reportedly got upset that he was randomly selected for additional screening.  Police claim Smith became "belligerent and uncooperative" with TSA.  Sources also note the pass-rushers "appeared to be drunk."  That, of course, has been a major issue for Smith.  He's been arrested for DUI twice since entering the league in 2011 and missed 5 weeks for rehab this past year.  Smith is also still facing illegal weapons charges from a 2012 incident at his home.  Neither the 49ers nor fantasy owners can be counting on Smith this coming season.

The 49ers will have OLBs Aldon Smith (shoulder) and Ahmad Brooks (stinger) active for today's matchup with the Rams.  Both appeared as questionable on the injury report but never seemed in danger of missing the game.  DE Ray McDonald (ankle) will also play for the 1st time since Week 10.  That only helps the Niners' team D in an already attractive fantasy football matchup.

Both starting OLBs are officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams.  Brooks has a stinger and Smith a shoulder issue.  We've seen no indication either player is actually at risk of missing the game, but we'll certainly keep an eye on their Sunday status.  You should plan to use either as you normally would in your IDP league.

The 49ers activated OLB Aldon Smith from the non-football injury list today as required by league rule.  Smith checked out of rehab Wednesday and thus couldn't stay on the NFI list.  NFL Network's Mike Silver reports that Smith "could" play in the next game (Week 10), but that it's no sure thing.  Silver also said the team plans to make Smith earn his spot back.  He said we should "expect" to see Smith fill a situational pass-rushing role at first.  That would cut into the LB's fantasy scoring potential.  We'll certainly keep an eye on the situation going forward.  If you play in a league that favors sack scoring and he's available, though, you should go ahead and snag him.  Tackle-leaning formats allow you to be more patient with Smith.

Niners OLB Aldon Smith checked out of rehab Wednesday, visited his team and turned himself in to police.  Smith entered alcohol rehab on Sept. 23 after his 2nd drunken-driving arrest since entering the league in 2011.  HC Jim Harbaugh said Smith "looks great" and is doing very well in his rehab process.  He also said the team isn't putting a timeline on Smith's return to the field.  Smith turned himself in to face felony weapons charges stemming from a July 2012 incident.  He'll go to court Nov. 12 in that case after facing his drunken driving charges Nov. 4.  We'll see how everything plays out from here.

A June 2012 party at the home of Niners LB Aldon Smith has finally resulted in charges for the star defender.  Smith faces 3 felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon.  Smith, of course, is currently away from the team for alcoholism treatment.  But he could still face league suspension upon his return.  This situation certainly won't help him avoid that.

NFL.com's Albert Breer reports that the Niners expect to miss LB Aldon Smith for at least the next 5 weeks while he undergoes treatment for alcoholism.  Breer also reports that "the feeling" is a 2-to-4-game suspension will likely follow at some point but that it won't come until after Smith's DUI case has completed.  Smith might also try to argue that this time away should serve as the suspension.  We'll see how this one eventually plays out.  IDP owners obviously have a big lineup hole to fill.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports that LB Aldon Smith's locker was cleared out after Sunday's loss to the Colts.  That seems to indicate Smith is headed to alcohol rehab, a possibility that had been reported by multiple sources earlier in the day.  SI's Peter King mentioned that treatment could cost him as much as 4 games and that Smith might even face league discipline after that.  This is suddenly a messy situation for 1 of the league's best pass rushers.  Niners HC Jim Harbaugh declined to say Sunday whether Smith will even miss Week 4.  We'll keep an eye as this situation develops.

Update: Niners CEO Jed York said that Smith is suspended indefinitely.  If you play in a deeper IDP league, try to keep Smith on your roster.  If you start 5 or fewer defensive players, though, you should be safe dumping Smith.  Rookie Corey Lemonier is listed as Smith's back up on the team website.

As expected, 49ers LB Aldon Smith will reportedly play today against the Colts despite his Friday morning arrest on suspicion of DUI.  ESPN reports that Smith will start the game.  NFL Network reports that he might play sparingly.  We have no way to know for sure what the Niners plan, but limiting Smith's snaps after starting him doesn't make much sense as a punishment.  Go ahead and use him as you normally would on your IDP squad, especially in a favorable matchup against 1 of the league's most pressured QBs.

Niners HC Jim Harbaugh said that he expects LB Aldon Smith to play Sunday, according to the team's website.  Harbaugh said he was "disappointed" by Smith's arrest Friday morning on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession but that he thought Smith should keep working and "soldier through it."  We'll see whether the league and franchise believe Smith should just "soldier through it" or sit for his actions.  Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area believes any discipline won't come until later this year or next season.

Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area reports that Niners LB Aldon Smith was arrested Friday morning on suspicion of DUI.  Police reportedly determined that Smith was the driver in a single-car accident.  (No one was hurt.)  It's the latest in a string of worrisome off-field incidents for Smith, who has been a star thus far on the field.  We'll see how this case plays out, but Smith could be looking at a short league suspension under the personal conduct policy.

Update: It has also been reported that police found marijuana in the car Smith was driving.  The team has declined to comment beyond acknowledging that it's looking into the incident.

Niners OLB Aldon Smith is reportedly recovering from "minor injuries" after being stabbed at a house party Friday night. The injuries don't seem to be anything that will affect his readiness for the season. Because it appears that he'll be just fine, the most important point here might be the fact that it is Smith's 2nd bout of offseason trouble. The 2nd-year pass rusher was arrested on DUI charges back in January. Combine the 2 incidents, and it's pretty clear that Smith needs to alter his gameplan away from the field before it impacts his on-field availability. Or worse.