Aldon Smith is Released by the San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have released linebacker Aldon Smith following his fifth run-in with the law. Smith was arrested Thursday night in Santa Clara. He was charged with DUI, hit and run and vandalism.

He had already been arrested two years ago on drunken driving charges and missed five games in 2013 after that arrest, going into a substance abuse rehabilitation clinic.

49ers general manager Trent Baalke met with Smith after he left jail, and after Smith refused to take responsibility for being arrested, the team decided to release him.

The release of Smith is another blow to the 49ers defense who has already lost several key players this off season