a violation of Rule 40.4 for deliberately applying physical for

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Part of the process for the San Francisco 49ers All-Pro linebacker to rejoin the team following a five-week stint in rehab included a verbal commitment to the NFL that he would stay out of trouble and keep clean. "I think any time we could all look into our lives and find something we need to work on," Smith said Tuesday, seemingly relaxed. "Ive taken my time and Ive done that." A clean-cut Smith -- hair trimmed from his previous long, curly cut -- returned to the 49ers locker room after his long absence and five missed games to cheers from teammates who chanted his first name. Everybody knows what he means to this franchise and defence -- and the 49ers are hopeful he is as healthy as he looks and ready to return to the field as soon as Sundays home game with Carolina. "Im getting there. Every days just a step closer to getting to where I want to be," Smith said at his locker after practice. "Ive gotten a lot of support, from my family, friends, organization, teammates and everything. And it really says a lot that people care about me outside the field and they care about me as a person." Smith had been on an indefinite paid leave of absence before being activated to the 53-man roster Thursday, two days after he turned himself in to Santa Clara County authorities on weapons charges. He met last Wednesday with team officials. The fearsome pass-rusher is in shape despite a couple of extra pounds gained during his stint at an in-patient treatment centre for substance abuse. He was at a facility outside California, he said, while declining to offer further details. He said he returned to the Bay Area on Oct. 28 after entering rehab in late September -- and he was away for his 24th birthday Sept. 25. Defensive teammate and fellow linebacker Patrick Willis is among those who sent periodic text messages to Smith during his time away. "Aldon has been a guy since he came in who has been very productive for our defence, has been a playmaker for our defence," Willis said. "To get him back is a good thing, then, too, with his absence we were able to develop some depth with some of the other guys. Its really going to be a strong point for us. When you have a guy such as Aldon with his talent, the biggest thing we can do for him is just let him know were here for him, let him know that were his teammates, but the main thing is just let him grow on his own." Smith played in a 27-7 home loss to the Colts on Sept. 22 and had five tackles just two days after he was arrested and jailed on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession. He apologized for his behaviour after the game then later announced he would leave for treatment. San Francisco (6-2) has won five straight games in impressive fashion without him. Also in September, Smith and former teammate Delanie Walker were named in a lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by a Northern California man who said he was shot at a party at Smiths house on June 29, 2012. Smith, selected seventh overall in the 2011 draft out of Missouri, had previously been arrested on suspicion of DUI in January 2012 in Miami shortly after the 49ers lost in the NFC championship game. Now, Smith is moving forward. Hes thrilled to be reunited with not only his team but also his 10-month-old son, Aulis. "He looks good, man," running back Frank Gore said. "Im a big fan of Aldon, a young guy who has the potential to be one of the best at the position. Im happy hes back with the family. I know he can help our team, so thats great." While Smith is scheduled for court appearances each of the next two Tuesdays, he expects to be in practice. Smith was charged Oct. 9 with three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from that party at his home in June 2012. "Of course, I didnt want to be away from the sport I love. But it was good for me to get away and get my mind together and work, like I say, just to get to the positive spot I need to be at," he said. "I caught some of the games, some that were broadcast over there. So I was able to keep up with the guys and chime in here and there and wish them good luck." Smith had a franchise-record 19 1/2 sacks last season for the NFC champions. He has 4 1/2 sacks and 18 tackles over three games in 2013. "Im just taking it one day at a time, getting back here, being around the guys and just getting my life back at home," Smith said. Also Tuesday, leading 2012 wideout Michael Crabtree was cleared to resume practicing following May surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon. The 49ers now have three weeks to activate him. Earl Averill Indians Jersey . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday. Larry Doby Jersey .9 million deal Thursday. The 25-year McGinn had 19 goals and 19 assists in 79 games last season in helping the Avalanche tie a franchise record with 52 wins. https://www.cheapindiansonline.com/1708u-dennis-martinez-jersey-indians.html . With just under five seconds remaining - the Raptors having clawed back from a 19-point deficit and pulled within one - DeRozan took the handoff from Chuck Hayes. Cheap Indians Jerseys .S. President Barack Obama saluted the Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks at the White House on Monday -- a rare moment for a president hungry to see more victorious teams from his hometown. Roberto Alomar Jersey . But that changed when he committed a five-minute major penalty and helped pave the way for a comeback by the Philadelphia Flyers. Vincent Lecavalier scored at 2:45 of overtime and the Flyers rallied from a two-goal deficit for a 5-4 victory on Sunday.NEW YORK -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman cut Daniel Carcillos suspension from 10 games to six, meaning the New York Rangers enforcer could play in the Stanley Cup finals should the club elect to return him to the lineup. The commissioner made the change Tuesday after holding a hearing with Carcillo on Friday. "I respect the leagues decision and how they came to a decision," Carcillo said Tuesday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. "Im just happy I could say my piece and be a part of it, say my side of the story. I think he took it into account, and Gary was great. The league was great." Carcillo was suspended May 23 after he appeared to twice elbow linesman Scott Driscoll, who was trying to keep Carcillo away from a fight, during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The original ban would have kept him completely out of the Cup finals, even if the series went the full seven games. Now Carcillo, who has already served three, is eligible to play in Game 4. "A bit of a dead man walking there for the last week and a half, so to hear that this morning as soon as you wake up it gives you a little boost, a little bit of energy," Carcillo said. "Just to be able to be around the guys in three games will be great. Im just really encouraged." Carcillo was originally punished under Rule 40.3 for deeliberately applying physical force to an official, which carries a suspension of at least 10 games.dddddddddddd However, Bettman decided that "Carcillos actions were more appropriately deemed a violation of Rule 40.4 for deliberately applying physical force to an official for the sole purpose of getting free of such official during or immediately following an altercation." "The National Hockey League does not and will not, under any circumstances, tolerate or condone the abuse, physical or otherwise, of our on-ice officials," Bettman said in a statement. "The strict and proper enforcement of Rule 40, therefore, plays a critical role in safeguarding the integrity of the game by maintaining a safe and respectful working environment for our officials." The Stanley Cup finals begin Wednesday with the Rangers visiting the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Kings. If Carcillo is activated after the suspension, he will be playing in his third Stanley Cup finals in the last five years. He made it with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2009-10 season and Chicago Blackhawks last season. Carcillo was traded to the Kings in July. The Rangers acquired Carcillo from the Kings in January for a conditional draft pick. Said Carcillo: "Looks like I would have been in the Cup final anyway." ' ' '