Yetserday, Jim Trotter of Sports Illustrated reported that the San Francisco 49ers had told Alex Smith he wouldn't start Sunday.  However, this may have been premature.  It seems the starting job is still up in the air.

According to Seth Markam, senior producer for ESPN NFL, all Smith has been told is that Kaepernick will get first team reps during practice.

Alex Smith just told @tdespn that Harbaugh told him Kaepernick would get 1st team reps but door open to start game based on practice
— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) November 22, 2012

The quarterback controversy began after Monday night's game in which Kaepernick was filling in for Smith.  After Kaepernick's impressive performance, coach Jim Harbaugh opened the door when asked who his quarterback would be.  Now, the situation has just snowballed.

In fact, Jim Trotter has even responded to ESPN and is standing by his original report.

i have great respect for @tdespn and alex smith, and stand behind my report. harbaugh to alex: "I'm going with Kaepernick. Alex, I'm sorry."
— Jim Trotter (@SI_JimTrotter) November 22, 2012

Regardless of what ends up happening, the story has become THE story surrounding the 49ers.  This type of thing is almost never good for a team, so they have to hope that it lasts for just this week.  Coach Harbaugh will have to make a final decision and stick with it.

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