49ers’ Aldon Smith can’t stay out of trouble

While the Giants enjoy a nice start to their season and the Warriors prepare for the playoffs, the San Francisco 49ers are having an offseason that they would love to forget.

Continuing the team’s string of recent run-ins with the law, linebacker Aldon Smith was arrested Sunday at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly told authorities he had a bomb with him.

The confrontation between Smith and authorities began after Smith was chosen for a random secondary screening. During the process, Smith became belligerent and uncooperative.

It was there that airport police confronted Smith, and after he continued to be uncooperative he was taken into custody. He was released later that day after posting a $20,000 bail. No formal charges have been filed since.

49ers President Jed York addressed the incident in a statement released on Sunday:

“We are disappointed to learn of the incident today involving Aldon Smith. As this is a pending legal matter and we are still gathering the pertinent facts, we will have no further comment.”

Smith’s latest stumble is his most recent in a string of troubling incidents for the 24-year-old linebacker.

Last year, Smith had to take a five-game leave of absence from the team during the season in order to treat a substance abuse problem after he was arrested and jailed on suspicion of a DUI and possession of marijuana.

Prior to that, Smith had pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of illegal of an assault weapon stemming from a party that he and former teammate Delanie Walker had in 2012.

Smith’s issues may very well have on-field ramifications. The NFL may choose to internally punish a player for inappropriate off-field behavior, resulting in fines or suspensions.

After Smith willingly checked into rehab last year, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that it would play into whether or not any action would be taken by the league. However, with yet another tally against him, Goodell may not be able to overlook Smith’s actions any more.

Teammates Dan Skuta and rookie Corey Lemonier filled in admirably for Smith during his absence last season, though any games he may miss to a league suspension could be costly for the 49ers.