Quarterback Alex Smith will start for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday against New Orleans, coach Mike Nolan said.
Smith, out since Sept. 30 with a separated shoulder, went through his second full day of practice Thursday, leading the 49ers' first-team offense with no apparent discomfort.
He hasn't played since injuring his right shoulder on the third play of San Francisco's 23-3 loss to Seattle. Nolan nearly used Smith last week against the New York Giants but elected to hold out the former No. 1 overall draft pick.
"It's not so much my confidence in him; it's his confidence in taking reps [in practice]," Nolan said. "I expect him to play well, and he looked good. He looked healthy today."
San Francisco is 0-3 since Smith's injury, with Sunday's visit from the Saints looming as a key moment in the season.
49ers' QB Smith Will Start Sunday Against Saints