CSN Bay Area believes the 49ers may trade Alex Smith in the offseason.

Smith's $7.5 million 2013 salary becomes fully guaranteed if he remains on the roster through April 1, so the 49ers will have a big-time incentive to move him if Colin Kaepernick entrenches himself as the quarterback of the future down the stretch. Smith's salary would be prohibitive for a backup, but quite reasonable for a starter, so it's likely he'd draw strong interest in an offseason where as many as 10 teams could be looking for quarterback help. The odds are against Smith's star-crossed 49ers career lasting another season.

Coach Jim Harbaugh said he will formally announce his starting quarterback by midweek.

Harbaugh doesn't want Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith to face constant questions about the situation. So unlike last week -- when he told Kaepernick he was starting on Saturday night -- we expect a decision this Wednesday. But for now, Harbaugh continues to talk out of both sides of his mouth. "Alex Smith is our starting quarterback. He has not done anything to lose that job," he said. "In fact, he's playing at a very high level. Also, Colin Kaepernick, you can't categorize him as a backup quarterback, because he's started games and played very well in those games." Virtually everyone following the Niners expects the red-hot and more dynamic Kaepernick to end up getting the nod once again in Week 13.

Alex Smith (concussion) is active for Week 12 against the Saints, but is expected to serve as Colin Kaepernick's backup.

The 49ers' Week 12 inactives are QB Scott Tolzien, WR A.J. Jenkins, RB LaMichael James, FS Trent Robinson, FB/DE Will Tukuafu, OG Joe Looney, and NT Ian Williams. Smith lost his starting job after Kaepernick's Week 11 breakout game.

If benched quarterback Alex Smith is on the 49ers' roster as of April 1, 2013, his full base salary of $7.5 million for next season will be guaranteed.

Barring a stretch-run faceplant by Colin Kaepernick, don't expect to see Smith back with the Niners unless he's willing to take a massive pay cut and accept a backup role. (And that is highly unlikely.) If the 49ers cut Smith before April 1, they would owe him only $1 million for 2013. Smith is also due a $1 million roster bonus in March. They'll probably pink-slip him right before that.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh explained Friday that he is unwilling to publicly divulge his Week 12 starting quarterback because he believes it gives him competitive advantage, even if it's incredibly minimal.

"Maybe one percent, a small percentage," Harbaugh acknowledged. "We'll chase that, sure. We just do not get into what the roles are going to be, how we're going to use them and the specifics of that." We usually poke fun at bad teams for refusing divulge starters, but Harbaugh coaches a good team and his explanation was reasonable. "It's just not something we think is an advantage for us to talk about," he added. "And you may have your opinions on it. It's unorthodox. So be it. You can call me names if you want, or make sport of me. But that's the way we're going to go about it."

Alex Smith (concussion, questionable) practiced again Friday in a black non-contact jersey.

It's an indication that Smith has yet to be cleared. Smith is the 49ers' backup quarterback now, and we won't need to be doing many more Rotoworld blurbs on him moving forward. It'll be the Colin Kaepernick show from here on out.

A source tells ESPN that Alex Smith (concussion) has been medically cleared, but the Niners are still planning to start Colin Kaepernick Sunday.

49ers OC Greg Roman told reporters Thursday that Alex Smith (concussion) still has not been cleared for Week 12.

Roman also said "no QB decision has been made" for the Saints game, which has been the company line since Jim Trotter reported Colin Kaepernick would be the starter. We would be shocked if Kaepernick did not start at New Orleans, but Jim Harbaugh's staff is doing whatever it can to provide misinformation.

Alex Smith (concussion) practiced Thursday, but remained in a non-contact jersey.

He'll be "limited" on the injury report. Coach Jim Harbaugh is doing his best to muddle the situation, but we believe Jim Trotter's report that Colin Kaepernick has been named the starter, and fully expect Smith to ride the pine against the Saints.

After ESPN half-heartedly disputed his report, SI's Jim Trotter reiterated late Wednesday that Alex Smith has been informed by 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh of his demotion in favor of Colin Kaepernick.

Smith apparently told ESPN's Trent Dilfer that Kaepernick would get first-team practice reps, but the job was still open to an in-practice competition. Not the case. "I ... stand behind my report," said Trotter, who's as reliable as they come. "Harbaugh to Alex: 'I'm going with Kaepernick. Alex, I'm sorry.'" Kaepernick should be viewed by fantasy owners as a high-upside Week 12 start against the Saints. Smith can be dropped in fantasy leagues.

Alex Smith (concussion) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice.

Smith has yet to be cleared for contact, but that could happen as early as Thursday. He will be active for Week 12, the question is, will he start. Coach Jim Harbaugh wasn't forthcoming on Wednesday. "We'll get all the factors weighed out. And we'll talk about it. And we'll come to the best decision for our team." The smart money remains on Colin Kaepernick, but Harbaugh has left the door open for both to play against the Saints. We may not get a definitive answer before Sunday.

Alex Smith (concussion) participated in 49ers practice Wednesday, but remained in a non-contact jersey.

Coach Jim Harbaugh also remained mum on who will be his Week 12 starter, Smith or Colin Kaepernick. "It's a unique situation. We have two really good guys," Harbaugh said. "We'll make the best decision for our team. We're a team. (We're not) going to be divided by outside forces." Harbaugh's attempting to remain diplomatic while keeping the Saints on their toes, but the fact of the matter is, by not embracing Smith as his starter, he's sending extremely strong signals it will be Kaepernick. When an incumbent is not endorsed, it's always good news for the challenger. We'll likely be in for another non-update on Thursday.

Coach Jim Harbaugh expects Alex Smith (concussion) to get cleared "before the week is out."

The only thing that stopped Smith from starting Monday's game against the Bears was the "contact test," the final step in the concussion protocol. So he's almost certainly going to get the go-ahead for Week 12. The bigger question is if Harbaugh will go back to Smith or if he'll ride the more dynamic skill set of Colin Kaepernick. "It's the opposite of a controversy," Harbaugh said Wednesday. "We've got two good guys." We're not sure exactly what that means other than the Niners haven't announced a starter yet for Sunday's game in New Orleans.

Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated following Monday night's 32-7 win that he's willing to stick with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback going forward.

In his post-game press conference, Harbaugh had a prime opportunity to squash any notion of a quarterback controversy. He did the exact opposite. "We'll see," said Harbaugh. "I usually tend to go with the guy who has the hot hand. We got two quarterbacks who have a hot hand." Added Vernon Davis after the game, "I feel like somebody took the handcuffs off me." (Davis caught six balls for 83 yards and a touchdown.) It's clear that Kaepernick gives the Niners their best chance to win both now and in the future. Alex Smith may have been Pipped Monday night.

49ers declared QB Alex Smith, WR A.J. Jenkins, RB Lamichael James, RB Brandon Jacobs, OG Joe Looney, NT Ian Williams, and S Trenton Robinson inactive for Monday night's game against the Bears.

Alex Smith (concussion) will not play in Monday night's game against the Bears.

Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Smith was not able to gain clearance from an independent neurologist. It's a stunner after all signs pointed toward Smith bouncing back well from last week's concussion. Now the raw yet talented Colin Kaepernick gets his first career start and he actually has more fantasy upside than Smith. A mix between Randall Cunningham and Tim Tebow, Kaepernick ran for 66 yards and a touchdown in a relief role against the Rams last week. He'll square off with Jason Campbell, who is subbing for Jay Cutler (concussion).

A source tells ProFootballTalk.com that it "would be a surprise" if Alex Smith (concussion) doesn't play in Monday night's game against the Bears.

Smith is officially listed as questionable after putting in limited practices all week. He is expected to pass his final "contact" test at some point Monday and suit up just one week after sustaining his concussion. It's good news for the Niners, but fantasy owners shouldn't have high hopes for Smith. The Bears' defense ranks first in quarterback rating allowed.

Alex Smith will undergo his final concussion test, the contact test, on Sunday.

After Smith goes through the exam, a decision will then be made on his game day status. It's the final hurdle the quarterback will have to clear, and he is fully expected to do so. This is how LT Joe Staley describes the contact exam: "I just bang away at another guy with my helmet. They see how you feel." Smith's, as a quarterback, should be much different.

Alex Smith (concussion, questionable) was limited in practice again on Saturday but is expected to start against the Bears on Monday night.

Beat writers Matt Maiocco and Matt Barrows both expect Smith to start despite being listed as questionable. He's put in limited practices all week after suffering the concussion in last week's tie with the Rams. Facing Chicago's No. 5 defense, Smith isn't much of a fantasy option for Monday Night Football.

Alex Smith (concussion) was limited in 49ers practice Friday.

Both Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle and Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area confirm Smith is expected to start in Week 11. The 49ers will release a final injury report on Saturday. They play the Bears on Monday Night Football.