Alex Smith replaces Hill at quarterback

Retired NFL quarterback Alex Smith will forever be remembered for the courage it took to return to the league after suffering a horrific leg injury that nearly cost him his life. While with Washington, Smith sustained a spiral and compound fracture to his tibia and fibula in his right leg. Many assumed the injury was career-ending. Smith returned to the football field in 2020, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors before retiring last offseason. On Saturday, Smith shared the story of his family's latest struggle. In May, his daughter, Sloane, had to undergo brain surgery to remove a large and rare type of cancerous tumor. The good news is that neurosurgeons removed the entire tumor, and it sounds like Sloane is recovering well. Smith

With the debate raging in the media and fandom about whether Trey Lance will start this year, an important fact has been lost by some. The team says Lance will start. That begs several questions. What kind of quarterback is Trey Lance? What can fans expect from this fledgling play-caller? Can Lance buck the "Shanahan Curse" and win without changing his first name to "Jimmy?" These are fair questions (Well, maybe the last one is a bit facetious.). With all this in mind, here are five reasons to trust Trey Lance as the 49ers' starting quarterback this season: He has displayed incredible athletic potential. Trey Lance's college tape litters the internet. It isn't unusual to discover hours of footage covering all the plays