NFL: Alex Smith ready to go again as 49ers starter

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Alex Smith is playing to keep San Francisco's slim playoff hopes alive, and he's playing for a job in 2011.

On Sunday against Seattle, Smith will be back behind center after a five-game absence. This upcoming stretch very well could be the last hurrah with San Francisco for the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick. He will become a free agent after this season and almost certainly will move on to another team.

Coach Mike Singletary told Smith on Monday that he would be the starter again for the 49ers (4-8), who face a must-win game against the division rival Seahawks.

This marked the first time Smith lost the job during a season when healthy, having initially been replaced by Troy Smith after separating his non-throwing left shoulder Oct. 24 at Carolina.