Shoulder Surgery Shelves Smith, Out for Season

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on December 11th, 2007 filed in News

                               

What was mere speculation has become a reality; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will have season-ending shoulder surgery.  Smith met with doctors Monday afternoon, during which it was determined that Smith would need surgery to correct a third-degree separation of his right shoulder.  Smith was hurt when he was sacked by Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Rocky Bernard on September 30.

As a result, Smith missed two games, but returned against the New Orleans Saints on October 28.  Smith reported he didn’t feel 100% and a MRI pretty much reflected that as the injury hadn’t healed.  The #1 overall pick in 2005, Smith this season has been a disappointment, throwing for 914 yards with two touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 7 games.  Careerwise, Smith has thrown for 4,679 yards and 19 TD’s with 31 interceptions in 3 seasons.

It is probable that reserve QB Shaun Hill will start Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals; besides Smith’s injury, backup QB Trent Dilfer suffered a concussion during the 49ers’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.