Aldon Smith, the troubled former 49er and Raider, is being transferred to an inpatient substance abuse center somewhere in California, a San Francisco District Attorney spokesperson has told TMZ Sports.
Smith had been held in San Francisco County Jail since showing up at the sheriff's department on Friday with a .40 blood-alcohol level.
It is not known how long Smith will be in the substance abuse center. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 3.
Smith had reported to the sheriff's department to be fitted for a GPS and alcohol-sensing ankle monitor. He was booked and taken into custody for violating a court order and held on $500,000 bail. He made a brief court appearance on Wednesday.
A blood-alcohol level of .37 to .40 or higher "can cause death" according to intheknowzone.com, a substance abuse information website. According to the site, "BACs of .45 and higher are fatal to nearly all individuals." Some of Smith's friends have expressed fears that he will drink himself to death.
Smith's recent legal troubles began March 3 when he was charged with domestic violence. He pleaded not guilty on March 12 to four misdemeanor charges: domestic violence, assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, false imprisonment and vandalism. His troubles continued when he was arrested for violating a court order to stay away from his fiancee.
He subsequently failed to appear in court on March 23, after which his fiancee, Shawna McKnight, issued the following statement to TMZ Sports: "Unfortunately through these circumstances Aldon and I are no longer together. Although it's with a heavy heart I truly wish him the best and pray that he gets the help he needs, I will always have love for him but at this point I'm simply the victim in this ongoing case."
Smith rose to fame as a Pro Bowl pass rusher for the 49ers before multiple off-field incidents led to his release. He subsequently signed with Oakland in 2015. Under indefinite suspension by the NFL, Smith, 28, has not played since 2015. He was released by the Raiders in March.
