49ers QB Smith out for season

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 11, 2007 | by Associated Press

Quarterback Alex Smith will undergo surgery on his right shoulder, ending a disappointing season for the San Francisco 49ers' former No. 1 overall draft pick.

The 49ers announced the decision late Monday night after Smith's latest consultation with team doctors and Dr. James Andrews over the separated right shoulder that has bedeviled him for nearly two months. Smith will be placed on injured reserve this week.

San Francisco also expects to be without backup Trent Dilfer for Saturday's home game against Cincinnati after Dilfer sustained a concussion in Sunday's 27-7 loss to Minnesota.

BRONCOS PUNTER CITED IN ASSAULT: Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun faces an assault charge over an incident with a cab driver outside a restaurant, a case that could bring more discipline from the NFL.

Sauerbrun, the fourth-leading punter in the NFL, was suspended for the first month of last season after using a banned dietary supplement. Upon his reinstatement, the Broncos and Sauerbrun split ways and he signed with New England.

Sauerbrun returned to Denver on a one-year, $1.4 million contract after being granted his release from the Patriots in the spring. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan admonished him upon his return: "Just stay clean, just stay out of trouble."

Denver police said Sauerbrun was cited for simple assault early Saturday.

"He was cited for a municipal ordinance violation of simple assault that stemmed from an altercation with a cab driver," Detective John White, a police spokesman, told The Associated Press. "So Sauerbrun was not arrested, but he was transported to a local detox facility."

NFL CHANGES 3 GAME TIMES: The game between the Redskins and Vikings on Dec. 23, a matchup with potential NFC playoff implications, will become the NBC Sunday night game. It replaces the Tampa Bay-San Francisco game (2:05 p.m. on FOX).