Aldon Smith highly unlikely to be playing at start of 2014 season - O.T.I.S.

Good news, Cowboys fans.  Possibly good news, Bears fans.  Perhaps good news, Cardinals fans.

With 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith facing July 25 sentencing after pleading no contest to DUI and multiple felony weapons charges, Smith almost definitely will not be available when the 49ers commence the regular season at Dallas.  Smith possibly won’t be around beyond Week One, too.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Smith likely won’t receive jail time at his sentencing, if he can stay out of trouble over the next month.  However, regardless of whether he receives simply an order of probation, the league office remains expected to suspend him for at least one game, possibly more.

The league won’t take action until Smith is sentenced, and the sentence will impact that duration of any suspension.  Either way, don’t expect to see Smith on the field when the 49ers visit the Cowboys to start the 2014 regular season.