Injured Finger To Blame For Alex Smith’s Recent Performance?

Eric Branch  of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that 49ers QB Alex Smith‘s struggles the past few weeks could be due to a finger injury.

Having suffered a sprained finger on his throwing hand 13 days ago, Alex Smith has produced four interceptions in two games against the Giants and Seahawks with passer ratings of 43.1 and 74.5 respectively. Smith only threw 4 INT’s in his last 15 games prior to week 6 game against New York.

“He’s not the kind of guy that would ever say it and none of us are, that would publicly make any excuse or rationalization,” said Jim Harbaugh when about Smith’s injury. “I know him. And I wouldn’t disgrace him by saying it was (a factor), publicly. I know the kind of guy he is and the kind of competitor he is … It’s good. It’s getting better.”

Many attribute Smith’s bad performances to bad read’s than an injury to his hand, but he will benefit from a long rest since the 49ers will not play until next Monday night.