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Injury lengthens odds for 49ers' Smith

September 6, 2008 4:53 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Mike Nolan's initial refusal to acknowledge the severity of Alex Smith's shoulder injury fueled an untenable feud between coach and quarterback last season.

Smith

That apparently won't be a problem this season. Smith hurt his shoulder in practice Friday. Nolan acknowledged the injury less than 24 hours later.

Nolan's team-issued statement: "Yesterday Alex Smith sustained a non-contact injury to his surgically repaired right shoulder. He will be consulting with his surgeon in Birmingham for treatment recommendations. At this time there are no specifics to the injury or a timetable."

Smith's star-crossed career with the 49ers appears to be nearing an end. Shaun Hill becomes the likely No. 2 quarterback against the Cardinals in the season opener. The 49ers have publicly acknowledged that Smith will not return in 2009 unless he proves himself as a viable starter this season.

Smith was going to have a hard enough time making that happen without worrying about a shoulder injury. This setback lengthens the odds.

San Francisco 49ers, Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, Mike Nolan, J.T. O'Sullivan

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