49ers put Alex Smith on injured reserve

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has been placed on injured reserve because of a broken bone in his right (passing) shoulder.

He suffered a non-contact injury to the shoulder in practice last Friday and will not play this season.

The shoulder was surgically repaired last December, and analysts have speculated the latest injury likely ends his playing days in San Francisco.

The former Utah all-American was the 49ers' first-round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, but his spotty development has disappointed high-level team officials.

In 32 NFL contests, Smith has passed for 4,679 yards, 19 touchdowns and 31 interceptions.

"I have no specifics about the injury whatsoever," Coach Mike Nolan said on the team's Web site. "He'll be on IR and it's a shoulder injury. That's about as far as I know specifically."

Before the latest injury, Smith lost his starting job to J.T. O'Sullivan in training camp.

The 49ers have signed journeyman Jamie Martin to take Smith's roster spot.