Quarterback Alex Smith remained the kinda-sorta property of the 49ers for another week while we were in labor purgatory, but that has ended now.
Like every NFL player, under a contract or not, Smith can no longer work out at his team facility. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com notes that Smith was among the players who had been showing up to work daily so far in the offseason. Justin Smith, Parys Haralson, Ray McDonald, Chilo Rachal, and Joe Nedney were other daily workout participants.
Teams like the 49ers with new coaches have the most to lose in a lockout. Maiocco reports the team was planning to start their offseason conditioning program next week.
Those plans are now postponed indefinitely. And the longer the lockout lasts, the more likely it will be that the 49ers have no better option at quarterback than to bring Smith back.