Aldon Smith Injury: 49ers LB Will Miss Some Time

Aldon Smith's Injury Could Keep Him Out For The Remainder Of The Preseason

Niners' fans had a serious scare Friday night when pass rush specialist Aldon Smith left their first preseason game with a right hip bruise. While the injury isn't as severe as some feared, head coach Jim Harbaugh is estimating that Smith will "be out for some time," putting the rest of his preseason in doubt according to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.

Maiocco is reporting that Smith has already been ruled unavailable for San Francisco's next exhibition matchup against the Houston Texans while calling his return "unlikely" for the Aug. 26 game against the Denver Broncos. That only leaves the Niners last exhibition against the San Diego Chargers on Aug. 30 on tap and with that being the game in which coaches often elect to rest their starters, Smith is currently looking at a week one return.

In a glass half full analysis, this news isn't a huge blow as the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up already looked sharp in limited action against the Minnesota Vikings Friday. Picking up right where he left off on last year's 14-sack campaign, Smith seemed to be one step ahead of every other player on the field the second the ball was snap as he forced Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder into a handful of hurried situations.

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Aldon Smith Injury: 49ers Linerbacker Carted Away

Add San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith to the list of Friday night's injuries. The prodigious young pass rusher was chasing Christian Ponder late in the first quarter and got hit by a Vikings blocker, hurting his hip.

Smith limped off the field, and the team's medical staff was assisting him on the sidelines. He was obviously in some pain, laying down, then sitting with a towel on his head looking generally uncomfortable. He was later taken off the sidelines and into the locker room on a cart.

His status is unknown at this time. There was some speculation that the injury was a hip pointer, but that was not confirmed.

Losing Smith would be a blow for the 49ers defense. As a rookie last season, the Missouri product had 14 sacks and 37 total tackles. Parys Haralson replaced Smith at outside linebacker with the first team.

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