49ers have three decisions to make in quarterback 'controversy'

The 49ers can do three thing going forward with their quarterback position, according to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco. With Colin Kaepernick's success filling in for an injured Alex Smith, San Francisco will have to decide which quarterback to start long-term or not make a decision at all.

By last Friday's practice, Smith looked to have shaken his concussion symptoms. But a setback over the weekend led to the 49ers starting Kaepernick, a second-year quarterback out of Nevada. In Smith's absence, the young QB went 16 of 23 for 246 yards and two touchdowns in a 32-7 blowout against Chicago. Kaepernick's evisceration of the vaunted Bears defense has created a controversy that will not be easily abated.

With question marks about whether Smith can return in time to face the Saints this weekend, John Harbaugh has been non-committal about selecting a starter. The success of Kaepernick and the nature of Smith's injury make the coach's decision difficult, but compounding the issue is just how good Smith has been this season.

Maiocco points out that Alex Smith is having a career year, punctuated by his being third in the NFL in passer rating. He has thrown 13 touchdowns to just five interceptions and the 49ers are 6-2-1 in games he has started.

Commit to Smith, commit to Kaepernick, or just ride the hot hand. John Harbaugh is going to have his hands full with this one.