SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Labeling it “one of the top exciting moments of my life,” San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith returned to practice Wednesday after serving a nine-game, league-mandated suspension.

Whether he is deemed ready to be placed on the club’s 53-man active roster for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants is another matter.

“I refer you back to last year,” 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh responded when asked if he expected Smith to be ready to play an NFL game by week’s end. “He missed five weeks and was able to come back and play snaps his first week back. So … we’ll see … take it day by day.”

Likewise, Smith was not willing to make any predictions as he prepared to step onto the practice field alongside his teammates for the first time this season.

“I am not going to sit here and give you some, whatever, crazy answer,” he said. “Time will show, you know?”