49ers' Smith hopes for best

Although Alex Smith probably will miss more than one game after separating his right shoulder, the San Francisco quarterback is sticking with the best-case scenario until he hears something worse.

Smith definitely won't play in the 49ers' next game against Baltimore after getting hurt on the third play of their 23-3 loss to Seattle on Sunday. The Niners have a bye next week, and the former Ute is cautiously optimistic he'll be back after that — but given the injury's severity, he knows it seems unlikely.

"They wouldn't put an exact date on it, but yeah, a few weeks," Smith said Monday when asked to estimate his return. "Having the bye week helps, but I'll just push it as hard as I can and try to get back as soon as possible."

Smith had taken every snap for the 49ers over the past two seasons until Rocky Bernard, the Seahawks' 308-pound defensive tackle, landed squarely on him during a sack. The former No. 1 overall draft pick struggled along with the San Francisco offense so far this season, going 43-of-84 for 461 yards with one touchdown and a meager 66.4 passer rating.

CARDINALS WILL KEEP ALTERNATING QBS: Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt knows starting quarterback Matt Leinart is unhappy splitting time with Kurt Warner. Whisenhunt also knows his two-quarterback scheme has helped the Cardinals (2-2) match their best start in 20 mostly dismal seasons in Arizona. And that's why he has no thoughts of changing the game plan, which calls for Warner to come off the bench occasionally and lead a no-huddle attack.

"I think we have two guys that are unique in that we have two unselfish guys that have a very good relationship," Whisenhunt said on Monday. "I also feel like we have, in a backup quarterback a former MVP, former Super Bowl winner that is a good football player, and he's shown that he can do that."

Questions have arisen because Leinart has made no secret of his displeasure with the scheme.

"I'd be lying if I said I was happy with the way things are going," Leinart said Monday. "But at the same time, it's pushing me to become a better football player."

CADILLAC OUT FOR YEAR: Tampa Bay running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and tackle Luke Petitgout will miss the rest of the season with knee injuries sustained Sunday. Williams hurt his right knee when he was tackled by Carolina safety Chris Harris at the end of an 18-yard run during the first quarter of the 20-7 victory over the Panthers. Petitgout was hurt when defensive tackle Kris Jenkins fell into his right leg in the second quarter.