"Could Alex Smith's injury keep him out indefinitely?

In a virtuoso prime-time performance against one of the NFL's nastiest defenses Monday, Colin Kaepernick created a sensational stat line and, possibly, a quarterback controversy in leading the 49ers to a 32-7 drubbing of the Bears at Candlestick Park.

Subbing for Smith, who sustained a concussion on Nov. 11 and was officially ruled out of the game Monday morning, Kaepernick completed 16 of 23 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his first NFL start.

A second-round pick in the 2011 draft, Kaepernick, who posted a 133.1 rating, left little doubt he's ready to be a NFL starter. The question: Will he start Sunday in New Orleans?

Smith, after all, led the 49ers to a 6-2-1 record, leads the NFL in completion percentage (70.0), ranks third in passer rating (104.1) and has completed 26 of his past 28 passes.

In other words, he's pretty good.