49ers center Eric Heitmann is expected to miss his second season in a row after undergoing recent neck surgery. Dr. Robert Watkins, an orthopedic spine surgeon in Marina del Rey, performed the surgery to repair a ruptured disk approximately four weeks ago, according to the player's agent. "The bottom line is that he feels much better, and the pain has dissipated," agent Kenny Zuckerman said. "The tingling has decreased, and his hopes are to play as soon as he's cleared." This type of surgery generally takes approximately six months from which to recover, Zuckerman said. Therefore, it appears unlikely Heitmann will play this season.

49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree is still being slowed by a left foot injury. Crabtree was on hand for a recent informal workout, but did not go through a full practice because of lingering concerns about his foot. He attended the team's previous minicamp but only took part in the June 6 practice. According to teammate Josh Morgan, Crabtree suffered sore feet during that Monday session after practicing in new shoes.

49ers rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick was a full participant on the first day of an informal minicamp Tuesday, showing off his strong arm and moving swiftly for the first time since surgery on his lower left leg in early May. Kaepernick said he doesn't feel limited at all but is waiting for an upcoming doctor's appointment before he resumes his complete training program. "Definitely have to get back a little of the timing, get back to the pace of the routes, the timing of certain things," he said. "That's just going to take a little bit of time. For the most part, I felt like I was on time with most of my throws today and felt good out there." Kaepernick, the 36th overall pick, decided to skip a symposium for NFL rookies this week to spend time with his San Francisco 49ers teammates and learn some of the playbook.

49ers rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick has decided to skip this week's four-day rookie symposium in favor of the team's planned minicamp. The second-round draft pick is nearly recovered from a surgical procedure early last month and is eager to take part in this week's four-day camp. Kaepernick, who moved to the Bay Area in May, was able to take warm-up throws during the 49ers' June 6-9 camp, but he gave way to Alex Smith and David Carr when the practices commenced.

The initial plan was for the 49ers to get Aldon Smith on the field quickly, but his exact role remains uncertain. "The team ultimately plans on playing the first round pick all over the field, at right and left outside linebacker, and as a defensive end on passing downs," writes Dan Pompei of The National Football Post. "Given the fact that the 49ers haven't been able to work with Smith all offseason, the chances of him being able to integrate everything he needs to know to play everywhere before the start of the season aren't good. So what could happen is Smith will start out as a nickel rush end. Then maybe he graduates to playing linebacker on one side on first and second down."

Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana was recovering Tuesday from injuries suffered in an ATV accident last weekend, according to a report by KGO-TV. Montana required stitches above one eye. He said he avoided serious injury when he crashed his all-terrain vehicle on his ranch near Calistoga, Calif. But the incident forced the 49ers legend to miss a planned business appearance Tuesday evening at the Santa Clara City Council.

Alex Smith, who expects to re-sign with the 49ers, says he has no issue with wide receiver Michael Crabtree. When asked about San Francisco's quarterback situation recently, Crabtree refused to give Smith an endorsement despite the near certainty that he'll remain with the team. Smith called his perceived feud with Crabtree "something that has been totally off-base" after recent quotes from both players created a stir. "Obviously, (over) the last two weeks a lot has been made of our relationship," Smith said. "Things have come out in the paper that I think we both wish we could take back. I know I feel that way."

Alex Smith says he "absolutely" expects to be the 49ers' starting quarterback next season even though he is still a free agent, according to an ESPN.com report. Smith also said Thursday that his perceived feud with Michael Crabtree was "blown out of proportion" and that he called the wide receiver to apologize and clear the air.

Two members of the 49ers' famed "Million Dollar Backfield" who died within months of each other this year will have their brains examined by researchers at Boston University that are studying head injuries in sports. Joe "the Jet" Perry died in April at the age of 84 and John Henry Johnson died last week at the age of 81. Their families have agreed to let their brains be examined by the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. CSTE is a collaboration between Boston University Medical School and the Sports Legacy Institute that is attempting to address what it calls the "concussion crisis" in sports.

49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree isn't sold on Alex Smith as the team's starting quarterback. Smith, who will become a free agent, is expected to re-sign with San Francisco. Crabtree joined some teammates in workouts for the first time on Monday. When asked by reporters if he thought catching passes from Smith was important to building chemistry, Crabtree responded: "Who's the quarterback?" When told Smith was the likely starter, Crabtree said: "He's the quarterback? I'm just asking." Crabtree told reporters that whoever starts at quarterback for the 49ers would get his support, but he's still not sure who that player will be. "I wish I could tell you that," he told reporters. "I know what you're all scratching at. I wish I could tell you who is going to be the quarterback. I don't know. I don't know. Whoever the quarterback is, I'm 100 percent down with it and I'm ready to go. That's it."