A source tells ProFootballTalk.com that Alex Smith's finger sprain is "nothing at all."

Smith sprained the middle finger on his throwing hand, but it isn't expected to hinder him going forward. If the game was in doubt, he almost certainly would have finished out Sunday's win over the Bills. Smith and the Niners face the Giants next week in a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game.

Alex Smith sustained a sprain on his right middle finger in the 49ers' win over the Bills Sunday.

The damage is on Smith's throwing hand, but it's not a major concern right now. He was allowed to talk to the media and just had the finger lightly wrapped after the game. Quarterbacks often play through finger sprains without issue.

Alex Smith completed 18-of-24 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns as the 49ers set a franchise single-game record for yards in a 45-3 blowout victory over the Bills in Week 5.

Smith got an early rest, giving way to Colin Kaepernick early in the fourth quarter with the 49ers up 38-3. Sporting a career-best 156.3 passer rating, Smith also came within seven yards of a single-game career high while hitting on big-play scores to Kyle Williams and Michael Crabtree. Smith was exceptionally accurate throughout, taking advantage of a Bills defense that became the first since the 1950 New York Yanks to allow 550+ yards in consecutive weeks. He has a tougher matchup versus the Giants in Week 6.

Alex Smith's $7.5 base salary for 2013 becomes guaranteed if he's on the 49ers' roster by April 1.

He's also due a $1 million roster bonus in March. Although Yahoo's Jason Cole predicts Colin Kaepernick's rocket arm and electric running ability will instigate a "serious quarterback controversy in San Francisco pretty soon," it's hard to envision the 49ers cutting ties with Smith as long as he directs the team to the playoffs. The salaries of the two QBs combined is far less than the total devoted to the position by most NFL teams. Smith's winning percentage (77) is behind only Aaron Rodgers and Matt Schaub since Jim Harbaugh took over as head coach.

Alex Smith completed 12-of-21 passes for 143 yards and rushed twice for 12 yards in the 49ers' Week 4 blowout win over the Jets.

The Niners massacred New York on the ground, so Smith was only asked to hold onto the football. He accomplished the task, committing no turnovers. The 49ers face the Bills next, where Smith will continue to be a low-end QB2. Through four games, Smith is on pace for a 20:4 TD-to-INT ratio and 3,136 passing yards. Both his touchdown and yardage pace stats are down from last season.

Alex Smith completed 24-of-35 passes for 204 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 49ers' Week 3 loss to Minnesota.

He also rushed four times for 26 yards and lost a fumble. The interception was Smith's first since last November, including playoff games. No matter the matchup, Smith should be on fantasy benches going forward in standard leagues. While he's developed into a highly efficient manager of games, Smith's offense and lack of elite arm talent keep him firmly off the QB1 radar. He'll be a low-end QB2 when the Niners face the Jets in Week 4.

Alex Smith completed 20-of-31 passes for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns in San Francisco's 27-19 Week 2 win over the Lions.

Smith added four rushes for seven yards. Officially promoted from game manager to "game supervisor," Smith did his best work on the 49ers' lone fourth quarter drive, completing 6-of-7 passes for 75 yards. He added a 10-yard scramble for good measure, and went 3-of-3 on third down. Smith is staying firmly within the 49ers' conservative system this season, but flourishing in it. He's showing the Niners can not only compete with the beasts of the NFC with Smith under center, but dominate them. Smith has now gone seven consecutive games without a turnover, and team record 216 pass attempts without an interception.

The 49ers have not turned the ball over in six straight games.

This impressive streak has spanned 378 plays, including 173 passes from Alex Smith and 95 rushing attempts from Frank Gore. If they make it through Sunday without turning the ball over, San Francisco will tie the NFL record held by the 2010 Patriots.

Alex Smith was ruthlessly efficicent in Sunday's 30-22 win in Green Bay, completing 20-of-26 passes for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Smith added five scrambles for 13 yards, and also set the 49ers' team record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (185). It was game managing, but game managing at its finest. Smith targeted four different pass catchers at least four times. A high-end QB2, Smith will get the Lions' banged up secondary at home in Week 2.

Alex Smith went 5-of-7 for 69 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in Sunday's preseason game against the Broncos.

Beat writer Matt Maiocco says the 49ers do not want to throw the ball more this year.

Coach Jim Harbaugh indicated that Alex Smith has "separated himself" even further from the 49ers backup quarterbacks during offseason practices.

"He's the solid starter," said Harbaugh. "I don't think anybody questions that." Watching 49ers minicamp, ex-scout and current NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks noted that Smith was working quickly through his reads to get the ball hands of his playmakers while also showing improved footwork and pocket fundamentals resulting in more "velocity and zip."

According to Profootballtalk.com, Jim Harbaugh's recent claim to the media that the 49ers never pursued Peyton Manning has become a "running joke" in league circles.

"No one believes it," writes PFT's Mike Florio. "No one. As in not anyone." Per Florio, Manning's decision came down to two teams: The Broncos and 49ers. Harbaugh's club was in it until the end. While Harbaugh merely "lost style points" among NFL people, it's fair to wonder how the pursuit-then-coverup will go over in the 49ers' locker room. Specifically, with Alex Smith.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh says Alex Smith has made "dramatic improvements" to his throwing motion.

The 49ers were hoping to have Smith correct "two mechanical flaws" this offseason, and he apparently made great strides with "motion specialist" - and former major league pitcher - Tom House. House has also worked with Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Matt Cassel. We're not expecting Smith's "dramatic improvements" to lead to a dramatic increase in production.

The 49ers believe Alex Smith can improve his accuracy by correcting "two mechanical flaws."

Smith completed a career-high 61.3 percent of his passes last season, but is still just a lifetime 58 percent passer. According to CSN Bay Area, the Niners want Smith to stop locking his front leg as he "strides during his throwing motion" in addition to keeping his right hip tucked in when he drops back. Seven years into his NFL career, it's late in the game for Smith to still be working on his mechanics, but he should continue to make subtle improvements under coach Jim Harbaugh.

Alex Smith insists he "always intended" to re-sign with the 49ers.

"That was the plan from the get go," Smith said Tuesday. "It was my first experience with free agency. It was unusual obviously with Peyton Manning on the market. Not the norm, or not what I expected going into it. But it worked out nonetheless." With just $1 million of his 2013 salary guaranteed, Smith could have to evaluate his intentions for the second straight year next offseason.

Alex Smith implied to San Francisco reporters that he never seriously considered signing with the Dolphins.

Asked what his emotions were in visiting Miami, Smith replied, "I'd never been to Miami Beach, and I thought it was a good way to go see it." Way to kick a franchise while it's down, Alex.

Alex Smith's $7.5 million base salary in 2013 is only guaranteed if he remains on the roster by April 1 of next year.

Smith received no signing bonus. Only $1 million of his 2013 salary is guaranteed. The rest of the full guarantees are in the form of a $5 million salary and a $3 million roster bonus this year. The 49ers can easily cut the cord on Smith if they're confident in Colin Kaepernick next winter. It's certainly not a bad idea to "buy" Kaepernick in Dynasty leagues this offseason.

CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reports that Alex Smith's new three-year deal with the 49ers only contains $9 million guaranteed.

The AP previously reported that Smith got $16.5M guaranteed. Matt Flynn's guarantee with Seattle was $10M, so despite a reputedly better track record, Smith got less than a quarterback with two career starts. Maiocco confirms that Smith's three-year deal has a base value of $24 million, with another $9M available through incentives. Both Smith and coach Jim Harbaugh insist there are "no hard feelings" after the 49ers' failed pursuit of Peyton Manning.

According to the Associated Press, Alex Smith's new three-year deal with the 49ers contains $16.5 million in guarantees and could climb as high as $33 million.

Even as they held all of the leverage, the 49ers gave in quite a bit. While Smith is still likely to earn $8 million per season, the guarantees went up from a reported $10 million in the standing offer. It's fair to wonder if the Niners will regret not going with Colin Kaepernick and a veteran backup rather than overpaying for mediocrity.