SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers will be shopping for quarterbacks this week after an examination of Alex Smith's right shoulder showed a significant fracture.
"I know (general manager) Scot (McCloughan) and I have worked on it yesterday and today," coach Mike Nolan said following Sunday's loss to Arizona. " … We have some names."
Smith has a fracture of the coracoid process, a major bone in the shoulder that is rarely broken. Smith had an MRI on Friday night, and the image has been sent to Birmingham, Ala., orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who operated on Smith's separated shoulder in December.
Smith, who spoke briefly to reporters before Sunday's game, said the fracture occurred late in Friday's practice when he was throwing a deep pass. He said the shoulder had bothered him throughout the practice and that the deep pass was very painful. He tried to resume throwing but could not.
Smith said he would wait until Andrews examined the images of his shoulder before deciding on a course of action. He said surgery is an option.
The type of fracture Smith has usually is associated with severe trauma. Asked if the hit that caused the separation early last season also could have weakened the shoulder bone, Smith said no, the myriad tests and images taken at the time would have showed that. He said it's possible there was a stress fracture in the shoulder that gradually became more severe with every throw he made this offseason.
Smith said he'll find out today whether the injury will end his 2008 season.
The 49ers, however, are proceeding as if it's a long-term loss.
Shaun Hill was the No. 2 quarterback behind J.T. O'Sullivan on Sunday, and running back Michael Robinson, a quarterback at Penn State, was the emergency option.
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/ninersblog.
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