Report: San Francisco 49ers plan to ease Aldon Smith into return

The San Francisco 49ers are planning to ease linebacker Aldon Smith into action against the Carolina Panthers, according to a report.

Smith has been out of action for the past five games as he dealt with personal problems after being arrested on suspicion of DUI.

The team activated him from their non-football injury list and plan to use him on 25% of their defensive snaps against the Panthers despite going 5-0 without him in their side, reports ProFootballTalk.com.

Jim Harbaugh's side are 6-2 in their season going into their week 10 clash.