San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday morning that he expects quarterback Alex Smith to be available to particpate in contact practices this week.
Harbaugh stopped short of saying whether or not Smith will play Sunday against New Orleans after sitting out Monday night’s win over the Chicago Bears because of a concussion.
He also wouldn’t discuss who might start at quarterback if Smith is declared healthy. Colin Kaepernick led the 49ers to Monday’s win with an impressive performance.
“We don’t have a (quarterback) controversy,” Harbaugh said on KNBR radio. “A controversy is argument with two opposing points of view. We have two quarterbacks with hot hands.”
He added, “I will not announce the starting QB … today.”