I don't have time right now to go into detail on this, but ESPN is reporting Alex Smith could be close to shutting down for the season.
Still experiencing pain in his right shoulder, San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith might be close to resolving the issue of how best to treat the injury, and that could include the possibility of not playing again in 2007.
"Hopefully, we'll get some answers and clarity next week," Smith told reporters. "Those ligaments haven't healed at all. Hopefully, [the rest] will allow them to start healing. ... I really feel my collarbone moving when I come through on my throwing motion."
Not exactly shocking, considering how little time is left and how far out the 49ers are of any sort of playoff chances.