49ers QB Alex Smith was benched for part of the 1st half of Saturday night's game against the Texans.  He completed 2 of 4 passes for 17 yards in his first 2 offensive possessions.  Rookie QB Colin Kaepernick then entered for 2 series before Smith returned to toss an incompletion and an interception.  Kaepernick finished the 2nd half and wound up 6 of 16 for 52 yards and a pick.  This passing game is looking real ugly.  Smith is still locked-in as the team's Week 1 starter, but Kaepernick could easily end up with more playing time this season.  It's all bad news for guys like Michael Crabtree, Braylon Edwards, and Vernon Davis.

While 49ers HC Jim Harbaugh did say that Alex Smith is still the favorite for the team's starting QB job, he also made it clear that the competition is still on-going.   "There's a competition at every position," Harbaugh said.  "We're evaluating it daily. So far, it hasn't had a chance to be clear-cut, yet."  Smith and Colin Kaepernick both struggled in the team's preseason opener.  Smith remains a safe bet to open the season as the starter, but Kaepernick figures to draw at least a few starts later in the year.

The 'Niners have signed 2nd-round rookie QB Colin Kaepernick to a 4-year deal.  He's been medically-cleared after undergoing minor leg surgery back in May, so the camp battle with QB Alex Smith is set to begin.  Smith is the heavy favorite to enter Week 1 as the starter, but we're expecting to see Kaepernick on the field later in the season.

As expected, the 49ers have re-signed QB Alex Smith.  It's a 1-year, "prove-it" deal believed to be worth $5 million.  This was one the shoo-in signings of this free-agency period.  Smith received a playbook when the lockout was briefly lifted and is fully expected to be San Fran's Week 1 starter.  That being said, he's no sure bet to hold off rookie QB Colin Kaepernick for the entire season.  Smith isn't worth a look in fantasy drafts.

49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick has been medically-cleared to participate in all football activities after undergoing leg surgery back in May.  It sounds like Kaepernick has been feeling healthy for a while now, but it's nice to know that he'll be a full-go for training camp.  He's a long shot to beat out QB Alex Smith for San Fran's starting job, but we're expecting to see Kaepernick on the field later on in the year.

49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick has reportedly looked super-impressive in player-organized workouts. According to Pro Football Weekly, he “literally knocked free-agent WR Lance Long off his feet on one slant route.” Although QB Alex Smith is considered the heavy favorite to be under center for the ‘Niners come Week 1, Kaepernick has a clear edge in the talent department. There’s a good chance he takes the reins of this offense at some point in 2011.

49ers beat writer Matt Barrows reports that QB Alex Smith is working on his footwork, ball security, and pocket presence in the team's player-organized workouts.  "Smith seemed more in command than he's ever been," Barrows writes.  The former 1st-overall pick always seems to impress in practice.  Then he falls on his face when it actually counts.  Smith is fully expected to be San Fran's starting QB this year, but we're not ready to predict any kind of breakout season.
 

Free-agent QB Alex Smith recently confirmed that he fully intends on re-signing with the 49ers when the lockout is lifted.  "The writing's out there," Smith said.  "I'm not going to give a quote, but I think enough's been done."  Smith also revealed that he's had a copy of HC Jim Harbaugh's playbook since late-April.  He remains the favorite to be San Fran's Week 1 starter, although he's far from a lock to hang on to that job for the entire season.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree has been notably absent from workouts organized by QB Alex Smith this week. It'd be nice to see him there, especially since the guys are working on learning new HC Jim Harbaugh's offense. But as beat writer Matt Barrows puts it, Crabtree has "chemistry issues with Smith that are well-documented."  This is definitely something to keep an eye on considering Smith is the favorite to open the season as San Fran's starting QB.

With the lockout still in place, 49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick doesn't have the team's playbook, and he's unable to meet with the coaching staff.  But that's not preventing him from learning HC Jim Harbaugh's offense.  Kaepernick plans on working with Stanford QB Andrew Luck, who was coached by Harbaugh the last 3 years, to starting learning the scheme.  "I'm going to try and pick his brain as much as I can and try to get a jump-start into this offense, and pick up as much as I can from him," Kaepernick said.  He's a bit of a project, but we wouldn't put it past him to beat out QB Alex Smith for the 49ers' starting job.  Kaepernick has a chance to be special under Harbaugh's tutelage.

49ers QB Alex Smith has been a colossal bust since being selected 1st overall back in 2005.  But it sounds like new HC Jim Harbaugh wants Smith to stay in San Fran and compete for the starting job in 2011.  Smith will become a free-agent as soon as a new CBA is in place, but multiple sources are reporting that the Niners have already offered him a new 1-year deal.  Regardless of where he ends up, Smith will need to battle for a starting job this year.

49ers interim HC Jim Tomsula has named QB Alex Smith his starter for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.  There's no guarantee he'll make it through the game without getting pulled for QB Troy Smith though.  Continue to avoid this situation in fantasy.

49ers QB Alex Smith is expected to start Sunday's game against the Rams, but beat writers Matt Barrows and Matt Maiocco both believe he'll be on a short leash.  QB Troy Smith is waiting in the wings if Alex stumbles.  Avoid the situation in fantasy.

The 49ers have named QB Alex Smith their starter for Week 14.  QB Troy Smith was impressive in his season debut, but he's struggled to move the offense since.  Alex isn't a fantasy option, but we do think this move is good news for WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis.

49ers QB Alex Smith will miss 2-3 weeks with the separated shoulder he suffered last week.  Troy Smith -- not David Carr -- will start for the Niners against the Broncos this Sunday.  Smith's only significant NFL playing time came in his rookie campaign back in 2007 when he started the final 2 games of the season for the Ravens.  In those contests, he threw for 370 yards with 2 TDs and 0 INTs.  He's not a polished passer and doesn't have any experience running San Fran's offense.  This is a situation to stay away from in fantasy, and that includes WR Michael Crabtree.

49ers QB Alex Smith has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder.  Beat writer Mike Maiocco calls it a "significant" sprain, but the good news is that it's to Smith's non-throwing arm.  He'll travel with the team to London for their Week 8 game against the Broncos, but it's unclear if he'll be able to play.

49ers QB Alex Smith left Sunday’s game against the Panthers with a shoulder injury. Smith’s return is questionable. David Carr has taken over in his absence.

49ers HC Mike Singletary has decided to stick with Alex Smith as his starting QB.  It's good news for the San Fran offense.  QB David Carr would be a disaster, and Smith's numbers were solid against the Eagles Sunday night.  He's starting to get into a rhythm with WR Michael Crabtree and TE Vernon Davis.