The Chiefs have hired Chris Ault as an offensive consultant.  Ault is considered the creator and guru of the pistol formation.  He most recently spent time as the HC at Nevada, where he helped QB Colin Kaepernick rush for 4,112 yards in 4 seasons.  The Chiefs have been running plays from the pistol in OTAs.  Insider Adam Teicher believes the team will incorporate option plays from the formation, asking QB Alex Smith to use his legs.  Remember that Smith ran for 631 yards in his final season at Utah, and then ran a 4.7 40-yard dash at the Combine.  An increased rushing role with the Chiefs would only add to his fantasy upside.

Conventional wisdom says 49ers HC Jim Harbaugh squeezed out everything QB Alex Smith had to offer.  But Trent Dilfer believes Smith is actually in a better situation in Kansas City with HC Andy Reid.  “Now he’s going to the same structure and a superior passing system,” Dilfer said. “... Just from a passing standpoint. A passing-tree standpoint. Multiplicity in the drop-back, and play-action and movement game. The screen game. Trick plays. You name it. This is one of the better passing systems in the league... He finally gets to play in a pass-driven offense, a quarterback-driven offense. He has very good offensive personnel. A head coach that’s forgotten more about winning than most coaches know."  Reid has a long history of pass-heavy and productive offenses.  But Smith remains no better than a league average QB.  And he'll be working with a shaky WR corps, especially if Dwayne Bowe bolts.  Smith will carry more upside in KC than he did in SF, but we struggle to see him moving into fantasy-starter territory at a deep QB position.

NFL insider Jason La Canfora reports that a trade involving 49ers QB Alex Smith is "effectively complete."  Teams can't officially make trades until the league year begins on March 12th.  It sounds like Smith will be donning a new uniform shortly after that though. La Canfora mentions the Chiefs and the Jaguars as potential suitors.  The Jags have already issued a statement denying a trade for Smith, but that doesn't mean much.  We'd throw the Cardinals out as a possible trade partner too, although the 'Niners probably wouldn't want to trade Smith inside the division.  Regardless, Smith figures to be the odds-on favorite to start no matter where he lands.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen hears the 49ers are "highly unlikely" to release QB Alex Smith.  That means they're confident they can find a trade partner.  San Fran isn't going to keep Smith in town as a backup when he's due $8.5 million in 2013.  The Cardinals and Chiefs would figure to be Smith's 2 most likely suitors.  We think he'd be a good fit in Kansas City under QB guru Andy Reid and his west coast-style offense.

49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion) is active for today's game against the Saints.  He's received full medical clearance, but the 'Niners are going with the electric Colin Kaepernick under center.

49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints.  He was limited in practice all week, working in a non-contact jersey.  QB Colin Kaepernick will start vs. New Orleans, and it's unclear if Smith will be available even if the team wanted to go back to him. 

49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion) was on the field for Wednesday's practice, but remained in a non-contact jersey.  Both Smith and HC Jim Harbaugh are confident the QB will be cleared before the weekend.  “I feel good. I feel really good," Smith said. "So I'm kind of expecting things to go well.”  Harbaugh still hasn't announced whether Colin Kaepernick or a healthy Smith will be his Week 12 starter.  Fantasy owners looking to start Kaepernick might not get an answer before Friday.

49ers QB Alex Smith is OUT for tonight's game against the Bears. It's surprising news after he looked to be on track to play. But ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Smith was unable to pass his contact tests. He'll now aim for a Week 12 return. Meanwhile, QB Colin Kaepernick will get the start tonight. Filling in for Smith last week, he went 11 of 17 for 117 yards. Kaepernick added another 66 yards and a score on the ground. While he's still raw as a passer, his athleticism makes him an intriguing fantasy option. A tough draw against the Bears dampens our enthusiasm. But if you still need a QB for this week, we like Kaepernick over Chicago's Jason Campbell tonight. Check out our projections for both guys here.

49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion) put in another limited practice on Saturday.  He's been listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Bears.  Smith will go through one more round of testing on Sunday.  As long as he checks out, he'll start on Monday.  Smith will be just a low-end QB2 against Chicago's 3rd-ranked QB defense.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that 49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion) has passed his baseline tests.  Barring a setback, he'll play against the Bears on Monday night.  While Smith isn't much of a fantasy option in a tough matchup, his presence is good news for the rest of San Fran's offense.  Smith is still a more reliable passer than QB Colin Kaepernick.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh had good news on QB Alex Smith (concussion) on Monday.  "(He's) doing much better, had a good night's sleep last night," Harbaugh said. "And symptoms are positive today. He's visiting with a neurologist later this afternoon."  Smith still needs to pass his baseline tests in order to get back on the field.  The extra day before next Monday night's game should help, but Smith should still only be considered 50-50 to play.  QB Colin Kaepernick would start if Smith can't.  Neither guy will be a fantasy option against Chicago's 4th-ranked QB defense.

49ers QB Alex Smith sustained a concussion in the 2nd quarter of Sunday's game against the Rams.  He's done for the day.  The athletic Colin Kaepernick will be under center for San Fran the rest of the way.

49ers QB Alex Smith (finger) is active for today's game against the Giants.  He practiced all week and didn't appeared to be hindered by that sprained middle finger.  Smith remains a fine QB2 in fantasy.

49ers QB Alex Smith (finger) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Giants.  He practiced in full all week and was reportedly throwing with plenty of zip.  The sprained middle finger on his throwing hand shouldn't be a factor on Sunday.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh says QB Alex Smith (finger) is "fine" after watching him throw on Tuesday.  Smith is dealing with a sprained middle finger on his throwing hand.  It's a minor concern, but he's in no danger of missing Sunday's game against the Giants.  Smith is a mid-range QB2 for that one.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh admits he's concerned about the injury to QB Alex Smith's right middle finger.  "It's very much of a concern," Harbaugh said. "We'll see how it is. Alex, it's well-documented how tough he is. He talks about it not being a big deal. So we'll see."  Smith previously stated that he'd play this weekend, and we're still expecting him to.  We'll see how much practice he puts in this week.

49ers QB Alex Smith sprained the middle finger on his right (throwing) hand on his final pass in Sunday's game against the Bills.  X-rays came back negative.  Smith's status will be worth monitoring, but it's a minor injury that he should be able to play through.  We'll update his status throughout the week.

QB Alex Smith and the 49ers have agreed to a 3-year deal believed to be worth about $24 million.  Smith flirted with the Dolphins after having his feelings hurt by the Niners' pursuit of Peyton Manning, but returning to San Fran was always his best option.  Smith is a good fit as a game-manager type in HC Jim Harbaugh's run-heavy attack.  The 49ers added some weapons this offseason in WRs Mario Manningham and Randy Moss, but we're still not confident enough in Smith's ability to call him anything more than a mid-range QB2.

49ers QB Alex Smith (concussion) will start today's game against the Bengals after putting in a full week of practice.  He's not a fantasy option, though, especially with WR Braylon Edwards (knee) out and WR Michael Crabtree (foot) still at less than 100%.

The 49ers confirmed that QB Alex Smith has received full medical clearance after suffering a minor concussion last weekend.  He' put in a full practice on Wednesday and will start Sunday's game against the Bengals.