Niners Smith Enters Rehab – NFL Roundup For Sept. 24th

UNDATED (AP) — San Francisco has placed linebacker Aldon Smith on the reserve non-football injury list as he enters rehab for substance abuse and begins what team CEO Jed York has termed an indefinite absence.

The NFL said there is no minimum number of games Smith must miss on the reserve non-football injury list, and he can return when ready.

Smith played Sunday and had five tackles just two days after he was arrested and jailed on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession. Smith apologized after the 27-7 home loss to the Colts, and now his team moves forward without him heading to St. Louis on Thursday.

Also in the NFL, Blaine Gabbert will get the start when Jacksonville plays the Colts this Sunday. He has missed the last two games after slicing open the back of his throwing hand. Gabbert needed 15 stitches to close the wound, which he sustained when he got his hand caught on a defender's facemask.

The Chicago Bears have lost starting defensive tackle Henry Melton for the season due to a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. He suffered the injury in Sunday night's win over Pittsburgh. Melton was designated the team's franchise free agent this year and received $8 million but is without a contract for next year.

Arizona has lost starting outside linebackers Sam Acho and Lorenzo Alexander for the rest of the season with injuries sustained in Sunday's loss to the Saints. Acho has a broken leg and Alexander a foot injury.

Buffalo has placed Alex Carrington on season-ending injured reserve after the starting defensive end tore his left quadriceps in Sunday's loss to the Jets.