The 49ers announced that linebacker Aaron Lynch has been suspended for four games by the NFL. Lynch will not be paid for the first month of the season after running afoul of the league’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. 
Lynch will be eligible to return to the 49ers active roster on Monday, October 3rd following the team’s Sunday contest against Cowboys. In the interim, Lynch is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.
“While disappointed to hear the news regarding Aaron today, we support and respect the league’s decision. We are confident that he will learn from this matter and that he understands what is expected of him moving forward,” 49ers GM Trent Baalke said in a statement.
Lynch, 23, has appeared in 30 games for SF over the last two years with 16 total starts. In his rookie year, Lynch made a mark when he tallied 23 tackles and 6 sacks. This past year, he improved on those numbers in a 14-game season, racking up 38 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
With Lynch sidelined, the Niners may rely more on outside linebackers Eli Harold and Corey Lemonier to pick up the slack. For a full view of San Francisco’s depth chart, check out their page on Roster Resource.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Our only good and consistent pass rusher. What a disappointment. Second best defensive player. So bummed out. I predict Niners will get only 3 sacks in the games he’s out.