Trent Dilfer will be back in the starting lineup Sunday when the 49ers play the St. Louis Rams, and there is a possibility that he will be the team's starting quarterback for the rest of the season. Alex Smith said he would do very light work today, and that he would continue to consult with Dr. James Andrews and the 49ers' medical staff.
Smith is bothered by both his right shoulder, which was separated six weeks ago, and his right forearm, which is affecting his grip on the ball. MRIs recently have been taken of both and they have been sent to Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. for his perusal. Smith said Andrew's opinion will have a bearing on whether he plays again in 2007.
"It will depend on what Dr. Andrews thinks and what our doctors think about the long term," he said.
Smith also said he cleared the air with coach Mike Nolan. Both men seemed frustrated with each other Wednesday -- Smith because Nolan had been minimizing his injury, and Nolan because Smith shared his concerns with the media before the head coach.
"This is like a family," Smith said. "You're going to have disagreements. It's going to happen in any family."
-- Matt Barrows
News, notes and reader questions about the San Francisco 49ers
November 15, 2007
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