Niners QB Alex Smith was cleared by a neurologist to resume non-contact practice, but evaded questions about playing Monday night.
Okay, I know we’ve touched on this from every angle possible, but just as a reminder for any of you that missed Sunday’s 49ers-Rams game: It was weird. The only way to describe the progression of plays and the 24-24 tie at the end is to call is “weird” and move on.
But quite possibly the only thing more interesting than the end of that game was the prospect of the Niners’ next game being started by not one, but two backup quarterbacks, on both sides of the pigskin.
At least half of that projection — thankfully — now looks doomed. Niners QB Alex Smith was cleared by an independent neurologist this week to resume non-contact practice with the rest of the team Wednesday, SFGate reports.
Smith left Sunday’s well-talked-about tied game in the beginning of the second quarter after a sack a few plays earlier left him with blurry vision. While he has been cleared by two independent sources, he will still have to pass concussion exams during the next few days to determine if he’s fit to play Monday.
During a portion of practice that was open to the media, Smith was seen jogging and taking snaps, all while wearing a signature black non-contact jersey.
Erring on the side of caution, good call.
Smith didn’t directly answer the media’s questions as whether or not he thought he’d be on the battlefield come Monday night, but if Wednesday’s practice was any sign, Smith should be at the helm.
And in what SFGate calls a “telling” sign, back-up QB Colin Kaepernick took fewer reps on Wednesday.
Both Smith and Chicago Bears starter Jay Cutler sustained concussions in their respective Sunday showdowns. There is still no word yet on whether or not Cutler will play when the Bears visit Candlestick for Monday Night Football.
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was absent from Thursday practice after being taken to the hospital for an irregular heartbeat.
