National Football League

Smith to start for 49ers after solid second half

Published Oct. 26, 2009 11:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

Alex Smith is the San Francisco 49ers' new starting quarterback.

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Coach Mike Singletary made the announcement Monday after sitting down with Shaun Hill, who was benched at halftime of the Niners' 24-21 loss at Houston on Sunday. Smith, who hadn't played in nearly two years, completed his first six passes and finished 15 of 22 for 206 yards and three touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis - and he nearly led the 49ers back from a 21-0 deficit.

Smith, the No. 1 overall draft pick out of Utah in 2005, missed last season after reinjuring his surgically repaired throwing shoulder three days before the season opener.

Singletary said he doesn't plan to change quarterbacks every week, saying this is not a "flavor of the month" situation.