49ers lose Aaron Lynch for first four games with suspension
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch has been suspended by the NFL without pay for the first four games of the 2016 regular season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The 49ers’ most reliable pass rusher last season, Lynch totaled 62 pressures according to Pro Football Focus — which was more than every other outside linebacker on the team combined last season — and 6.5 sacks in 14 games (13 starts) in 2015.
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Lynch can participate in all training camp and preseason practices and games but will be forced to miss the first four games. He can return to the roster in Week 5 prior to the team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
“While disappointed to hear the news regarding Aaron today, we support and respect the league’s decision,” 49ers GM Trent Baalke said in a statement. “We are confident that he will learn from this matter and that he understands what is expected of him moving forward.”
First-year defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil now must hope that he can get renewed pressure from veteran Ahmad Brooks, whose play has been uneven the past few seasons, and see improvement from young pass rushers Corey Lemonier, Eli Harold, Tank Carradine and Marcus Rush.
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Eric Edholm is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!
