Chiefs say Alex Smith 'asymptomatic' of concussion

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- One day after saying quarterback Alex Smith was pulled from a game because of a suspected concussion, the Kansas City Chiefs indicated on Monday that they don't believe he did suffer any head trauma.

"That's what an unaffiliated [neurological consultant] believes, that's what [team doctor Mike] Monaco believes, that's what I believe now," trainer Rick Burkholder said Monday. "He's been absolutely asymptomatic."

Burkholder said the Chiefs had determined during the second half of their 30-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts that Smith wouldn't return to the game, but only because he was being tested for a concussion.

The message relayed to the media covering the game in Indianapolis at the time was that Smith wouldn't return because he had indeed suffered a concussion.

"He was in the middle of the concussion protocol, but we weren't going to return him in the same game," Burkholder said.

Burkholder said the Chiefs will move cautiously with Smith, even though they suspect he doesn't have a concussion. Smith will be examined by an independent neurologist in Kansas City, but he could be on the field with the Chiefs on Wednesday when they begin their practice week and could play Sunday when the Chiefs face the Jacksonville Jaguars at Arrowhead Stadium.

"We will go through the return-to-play protocol and see where he's at," Burkholder said. "Although we don't think he has a concussion, we're going to be cautious and we're going to take him through all those steps before we put him back on the field just to be sure we're not missing anything."

Smith was taken from the game twice when the Chiefs suspected he might have a concussion, once in the first quarter and once in the third. He didn't return to the game after the second incident.

Smith was given a brief test for a concussion along the sideline each time. Burkholder said Smith twice passed those exams, which includes testing for memory, balance and other concussion symptoms.

Smith was still sent to the locker room for more evaluation. Burkholder said that was in part because Smith staggered and appeared woozy after each of the plays in question.

"We're not absolutely sure why he had those events, and certainly the independent [neurologist] could shed some light on that for us," Burkholder said. "We're still in that process, and we also want to see whether exercise takes him back into a situation where he gets a little staggered."

Smith has a laceration on his right ear from the first hit that knocked him out of the game, and Burkholder said that could be affecting Smith's balance.