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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

49ers linebacker Smith charged with three felonies

Smith
Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was charged Wednesday in Santa Clara, Calif., with three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from a party at his home in June 2012.

The Santa Clara County district attorney’s office said in announcing the charges that Smith is expected to surrender on his own later this month. The 24-year-old Smith is on an indefinite leave of absence from the NFC champion Niners while undergoing treatment for substance abuse at an in-patient facility following a DUI arrest Sept. 20.

“We’ve been aware of the incident, the serious nature of it. We’re all accountable for our actions, good and bad,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday.

Around the league

Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy said Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews will miss at least a couple of weeks with a thumb injury. … The 49ers claimed quarterback McLeod Bethel-Johnson off waivers from the Vikings and released journeyman backup quarterback John Skelton. … Darris McCord, a member of the Detroit Lions’ “Fearsome Foursome” that terrorized NFL offenses, died Wednesday in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. He was 80. … Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Raiders despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. … Browns executive Jon Sandusky, the son of former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, was cooperative but refused to take a blood test when he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Fargo, N.D., police said. … The Bears put DT Christian Tupou on the team’s active roster and put DT Nate Collins on injured reserve because of a knee injury. … Champ Bailey was a full participant at practice with the Broncos for the first time since he injured his left foot in a preseason game at Seattle on Aug. 17. … The Colts signed running back Dan Herron and linebacker Andy Studebaker to their active roster. … Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to repair damage to his cartilage and could miss the remainder of the season. … The Jets placed OLB Antwan Barnes on season-ending IR with a knee injury.