Chris Weinke will be the San Francisco 49ers' fourth starting quarterback this season when he replaces injured Shaun Hill on Sunday in Cleveland. Weinke, a former Heisman Trophy winner and Carolina quarterback, signed with the 49ers (5-10) two weeks ago. He will follow Alex Smith, Trent Dilfer and Hill, who won his first two NFL starts in the past two weeks. Hill, a sixth-year pro who hadn't thrown an NFL pass until this month, will miss San Francisco's finale because of back spasms caused by three small fractures resulting from a hard hit in a win last week over Tampa Bay. Dilfer is out for the season because of a concussion, and Smith is on injured reserve due to a separated shoulder.

Quarterback Shaun Hill missed the 49ers' practice Wednesday with back spasms, and Coach Mike Nolan isn't sure Hill will play in Sunday's season finale at Cleveland.

Mike Nolan has the 49ers on track for another fast finish in the regular season's final three games. It's those first 13 games that Nolan hasn't figured out in three seasons with the club -- and the coach knows that's why his job could be in jeopardy despite the 49ers' knack for big endings. "I'd like to hear people say that year in and year out, 'They play well in December -- along with September, October, November,"' Nolan said Monday. Not this year.

Bryant Young is still being the consummate team player right to the very end of his career. The San Francisco 49ers' 14-year veteran defensive lineman seems to be delaying his long-expected retirement announcement only because he feels it would create a distraction for his teammates -- even though the Niners probably would love a positive diversion as they wrap up a hugely disappointing season. "More than likely this is my last home game, but I'll address the questions after [the season]," Young said Wednesday while accepting his eighth Len Eshmont Award, an honor from his fellow 49ers as the team's most inspirational and courageous player. "I know, for me, I don't want to start reflecting." But Young can't stop his fans and teammates in San Francisco from expressing their gratitude to the popular stalwart of the 49ers' defensive line since his rookie season on the franchise's last championship team. San Francisco finishes its home schedule Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Third-string quarterback Shaun Hill led the 49ers to a 20-13 home victory over the Bengals in his first NFL start on Saturday. With Alex Smith and Trent Dilfer injured, Hill threw for 197 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score in leading the 49ers to their first home win since the opening week of the season. The win improved San Francisco's record to 4-10. The Bengals fell to 5-9.

The 49ers hired veteran sports executive Andy Dolich to be their chief operating officer Friday, but owner John York claimed the move wasn't a precursor to a major organizational shakeup for the struggling franchise.

The 49ers put quarterback Alex Smith on injured reserve Wednesday and signed Chris Weinke to provide depth at the injury-depleted position. Smith will have surgery Thursday on his separated right shoulder. The former No. 1 overall draft pick was hurt Sept. 30 against Seattle and missed six of the 49ers' last nine games before deciding Monday night to undergo surgery to strengthen his still-aching shoulder.

The 49ers moved quickly Tuesday to refute the latest report on the perceived rift between Mike Nolan and Alex Smith, insisting the third-year coach and his franchise quarterback still can work together if both return to the team next year. Smith criticized Nolan in comments to the San Jose Mercury News on Monday, just a few hours before Smith decided to undergo season-ending surgery on his separated right shoulder. Smith, who was injured Sept. 30 and hasn't played in a month, said Nolan had tried to "undermine" him in the locker room, telling players Smith was using his injuries as an excuse for poor play. ADVERTISEMENT In a statement issued by the 49ers on Tuesday, Smith said the article "does not reflect how I truly feel."

Quarterback Alex Smith is going to have his right shoulder surgically repaired, but repairing his relationship with 49ers Coach Mike Nolan could be more difficult. In his strongest act of rebellion to date, Smith on Monday said that Nolan has tried to "undermine" his reputation in the locker room. In an exclusive interview with the Mercury News, Smith said Nolan made it clear to teammates that the quarterback was using injuries as an excuse for poor performance, a charge that has left Smith's locker-room reputation in shambles. Smith, who had long been hinting that an operation was required, said he was frustrated by Nolan's repeated public comments - "the spin," as Smith called it - that questioned the quarterback's toughness. He even suggested that his health status has been left in limbo for so long by the 49ers because "if I had surgery, it would make them look bad." The 49ers announced late Monday that Smith will have season-ending surgery.

Alex Smith will undergo surgery on his right shoulder, ending a disappointing season for the 49ers' former No. 1 overall draft pick. The 49ers announced the decision late Monday night after Smith's latest consultation with team doctors and Dr. James Andrews over the separated right shoulder that has bedeviled him for more than two months. Smith will be placed on injured reserve this week.