SANTA CLARA, Calif. � Shaun Hill has won the 49ers� latest quarterback derby, outlasting 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith in a decision coach Mike Singletary announced Monday.

�I like (Hill�s) consistency, he has a commanding presence about him when he gets in the huddle, guys have learned to rally around him and his leadership,� Singletary said before Monday�s practice.
Singletary gave Hill the news Sunday, a day after Smith struggled � at least statistically � in his lone start of the exhibition season. The quarterbacks had a sit-down together with Singletary in his office Monday morning for a pep talk, and the coach later informed the team of his decision during a 10-minute, post-practice chat.
�They were surprised. No one knew who the starting quarterback would be,� tight end Vernon Davis said. �Now we found our starting quarterback, so it makes things a lot easier. Everyone was �OK,� and started clapping.�
The 49ers went 5-3 over the second half of last season once Hill was inserted into the starting role by Singletary, then the interim coach.
Hill was a backup his first four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before assuming that role with the 49ers in 2006 and 2007. He was No. 3 on the depth chart this time last year, and on Monday, he marveled at his path to one of the NFL�s most hallowed positions.
�It�s been quite a ride,� Hill said. �I almost made it a whole six seasons without taking a snap in the league. Now here I am with the opportunity to start for one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, a franchise that�s had great quarterbacks throughout its history.
�I�m very honored to have this opportunity.�
As for what this does to his close friendship with Smith, Hill is relieved nothing has changed.
�It was nice that it wasn�t awkward today,� Hill said. �He was helpful to me on the practice field.�
Smith, however, wasn�t practicing. He is nursing a sprained right thumb and is unlikely to play in Saturday�s exhibition game at Dallas, where Hill will work most of the first half. Smith�s thumb is in a splint, and he should be available for the Sept. 13 regular-season opener at Arizona, albeit off the bench.
How did Smith take the bad news?
�It�s nothing you like to hear. You never get used to hearing it. It�s not fun,� Smith said. �At the same time, my mind-set can�t change. I have to continue to improve and I�ve got to be ready.�
His career already derailed by a 2007 shoulder injury and constant coaching changes, Smith refused to deploy any excuses in losing this year�s quarterback competition. Nor is he second-guessing himself about anything he could have done better.
�I�m not looking back. It�s not like something has ended,� Smith said. �I�m not taking that mind-set. I�m still playing quarterback and going out there getting better. I�m going to continue to develop, learn this offense and work hard. It�s not like I�m on vacation now.�
Smith was praised repeatedly by Singletary for his ability to overcome so many hurdles in his 49ers career.
�I still think Alex Smith can be a great quarterback,� Singletary said.
As for whether rookie Nate Davis or 13-year veteran Damon Huard will win the No. 3 job, Singletary said: �I have no idea right now. I�m just thankful we got this far.�
Singletary told offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye and quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson last week to really focus on both quarterbacks� nuances in anticipation of this decision.
�I can�t stop and smell the roses,� Hill said. �We�ve got a lot of work to do.�
�X-rays on right tackle Adam Snyder�s right ankle were negative. He won�t play Sunday but is expected to start in the regular-season opener, Singletary said.
�Defensive end Ray McDonald came off the physically-unable-to-perform list and practiced.
Other injured players returning to practice were linebackers Patrick Willis (ankle) and Parys Haralson (foot), safety Michael Lewis (concussion) and cornerback Tarell Brown (toe).
�Wide receiver Arnaz Battle (tight hamstring) did not practice and is day-to-day.
�Right guard David Baas (foot) did some conditioning under trainers� supervision.