Marvel Smith's bad back has not improved over the offseason, and there's a good chance the nine-year veteran will hang up his cleats for good on Sunday or Monday, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The 49ers announced that Smith was excused from today's walk-through and that he won't make the trip to Dallas. "It's personal reasons," Mike Singletary said. "We're going to give him the time just like the other guys and take care of what you need to take care of and we'll go from there." The problem is Smith's lower back, which has caused him to miss 15 regular-season games the last two seasons. Though Smith, a former Pro Bowler, has looked good when he practices, he has not been cleared for two-a-day sessions and has fought through pain with every session. The 49ers have said that Smith's light practice load was expected when they signed him and that his workload was part of a long-term plan. We now know, however, that is not the case.
The 49ers were aware of Smith's back issues when they signed him to a two-year, $10.5 million contract in free agency this offseason. Because his deal is incentive-based, the 49ers won't lose much if Smith does in fact retire. What they'll gain, however, is plenty of second guessing about their right tackle situation. The 49ers signed Smith, a player with a long injury history, to replace Jonas Jennings, a player with an even longer injury history, as the team's starting right tackle. Adam Snyder has been playing in Smith's place this summer, and the team recently has gone out of its way to praise him. Snyder, however, has been viewed as a Johnny-on-the-spot offensive lineman in previous years, and last year at this time the team insisted his best spot was guard. Snyder (knee) is out for tomorrow's game against the Cowboys, and Barry Sims is likely to start in his place. Smith's retirement probably would mean a roster spot for Sims and perhaps one for undrafted rookie Alex Boone. According to STATS, Inc., the 49ers' right tackles last season allowed 20 sacks -- 10 1/2 by Sims and 9 1/2 by Snyder.
Last but certainly not least, Smith's back problems underscore the impasse the 49ers have with first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree. Remember, if Crabtree hadn't been available to the 49ers at pick no. 10, they would have selected Ole Miss offensive tackle Michael Oher, who would have been signed and starting at right tackle by this point.
-- Matt Barrows
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