49ers Alex Smith Injures Shoulder, Doubtful as J.T. O'Sullivan's Backup Against Cardinals

And things continue to get worse in Alex Smith's professional life. Two weeks ago, the 2005 first-overall pick got the news that he had been demoted to second-team quarterback behind journeyman J.T. O'Sullivan, all while enduring a constant verbal barrage from offensive coordinator No. 4 in his NFL career, Mike Martz.

And today we learn that Smith will be listed as doubtful on the 49ers injury report for tomorrow's opener against the Cardinals.

From the Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows:

There's been a late development on the injury report. Alex Smith injured his surgically repaired right shoulder this week and is doubtful for tomorrow's game. That means Shaun Hill will be the back-up and that Michael Robinson would be the emergency back-up. I'm told that it was a non-contact injury but there are no other details about the injury at this time. Here's a quote from Mike Nolan:

"Yesterday Alex Smith sustained a non-contact injury to his surgically repaired right shoulder. He will be consulting with his surgeon in Birmingham for treatment recommendations. At this time there are no specifics to the injury or a timetable. "

Barrows writes that Smith was "seen zipping the ball during Friday's practice" before complaining of soreness in his arm. It's the latest setback in a long line of them for the former University of Utah star (and the other guy in the backfield with Reggie Bush at Helix high school), who will almost certainly be elsewhere in 2009.

On the surface, you'd have to think Hill would be thrilled to move up the depth chart, but based on Michael Silver's column, I'm guessing Hill is dreading the possibility of being a play away ... from Martz's wrath.