San Francisco 49ers yet to decide status of quarterback Alex Smith for Monday Night Football – NFL News
San Francisco 49ers are yet to decide status of quarterback Alex Smith for Monday Night Football against Chicago Bears.
Smith got a concussion during Week 10 game against St. Louis Rams and the team has not yet announced if the player will be able to make Week 11 game.
Some positive developments were reported in Smith’s case a day earlier, but no official version has been announced yet; hence uncertainty looms large.
When asked about Smith’s status, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh told media on Friday, via team’s website:
“Yeah, seems like things are progressing as it does. And then the same thing we’ve always said is, again, it’s in the doctor’s hands and they’ll evaluate him as the week goes. There seems to be some progress.”
Smith will only be able to play if he passes physical tests and gets clearance from an independent neurologist, as per the National Football League (NFL) protocols.
Harbaugh has not ruled Smith out, but at the same time the team is preparing backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick in case Smith is unable to return. Kaepernick also replaced Smith against the Rams.
Harbaugh said of giving more workload to Colin this week during practice:
“Yeah, Colin’s getting a little bit more work than normal.”
Meanwhile, Bears have also suffered a setback at quarterback position. Their starting quarterback Jay Cutler, who received a concussion during Week 10 game, has been officially ruled out of Monday’s game.
His place will be taken Jason Campbell, who filled in for Cutler last week as well. A day earlier, Bears head coach Lovie Smith said that his team would prepare against both 49ers quarterback since it was not clear who would start for 49ers. However, Harbaugh
already knew that Cutler would be out when he was asked about Bears’ quarterback situation. The 49ers head coach said:
“Well, Jay Cutler’s a great player. And also, [QB Jason] Campbell’s a pretty good player, too. Jason Campbell’s an experienced veteran guy, big-armed guy that can move. So, you watch them both. You prepare for both of them. But, there are some similar styles
to their game.”
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