Dorsey may be starter even when Rattay returns

Quarterback Ken Dorsey was impressive as a fill-in for injured Tom Rattay.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- If Ken Dorsey keeps playing well, he might not be the San Francisco 49ers' backup quarterback much longer.
Dorsey could keep the 49ers' starting job even when Tim Rattay returns from a separated shoulder, coach Dennis Erickson said Monday.
Dorsey made his first NFL start in last Sunday's 30-27 loss to New Orleans. He was outstanding after a slow start, going 18-of-32 while leading San Francisco to 370 total yards.
The 49ers aren't certain when Rattay, their longtime No. 2 quarterback who got the top job last summer, will return to practice. After getting hurt in the season opener against Atlanta, he was Dorsey's backup in New Orleans -- but even after getting significant injections of painkillers on the sideline, he didn't think he could throw.
Will prepare as starter
So Dorsey will prepare for Sunday's game at Seattle as the 49ers' starter. If he has another strong game, he might also have a more permanent hold on the job.
"If Tim was healthy this weekend, he'd start," Erickson said. "But as time goes on, we sit and evaluate.
"I don't see how you can make that judgment right now."
Dorsey, a second-year pro who went 38-2 as a starter at the University of Miami, has impressed coaches and teammates while spending most of this summer as the 49ers' top quarterback. Rattay has been slowed by injuries to his groin, forearm and shoulder, leaving Dorsey to practice with the first-team offense.
Though San Francisco has lost all four preseason games and both regular-season contests so far, Dorsey has shown poise and maturity directing the offense. He's widely considered the Niners' quarterback of the future -- and the future might be here soon.
Close friends
Dorsey doesn't publicly covet the job, however. He is close friends with Rattay, who helped his fellow seventh-round draft pick learn the NFL ropes last season.
"I'm hoping Tim gets healthy as soon as he can, just because I love Tim and he has worked real hard to get to where he is," Dorsey said. "I just try to go out and do my job when I have to. I'm a team guy, completely."
Rattay's shoulder still is sore and painful, though he's making progress. He won't throw in practice this week, but he hopes to be Dorsey's backup again.
"My movement is better," Rattay said. "I'm able to do a lot more. We'll have to wait and see for the next couple of days."
The 49ers have much bigger problems than their quarterback situation -- but Erickson seemed moderately optimistic about his team despite being one of seven winless clubs after the season's first two weeks.
San Francisco outgained both of its first two opponents and played outstanding defense in nearly every situation. The Niners' two losses were by a total of five points, both coming down to the final seconds.
"I think we showed everybody that we can compete and pretty much dominate two games, especially on the defensive side of the ball," All-Pro linebacker Julian Peterson said.
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