| 49ers QB Alex Smith is expected to start Monday against Chicago. (US Presswire) |
After three days of practicing with a black non-contact jersey, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith appears to be on track to start Monday against Chicago.
He still needs to have a follow-up meeting with an independent neurologist due to the concussion he suffered on Sunday, but there has been nothing to indicate he'll be held out of the game. The same can't be said for Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who also suffered a concussion on Sunday and was officially ruled out by the Bears Friday.
"Yeah, seems like things are progressing as it does," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "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.”
Not much can be drawn from Smith wearing a non-contact jersey as quarterbacks are off limits in practice anyway, but Harbaugh did say backup Colin Kaepernick has seen more work with the first team this week as a precaution.
For San Francisco, game planning doesn't change much with Jason Campbell set to start in place of Cutler.
"Campbell’s a pretty good player, too," Harbaugh said. "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.”
Campbell was the starter across the Bay in Oakland last year and playing at a high level before a broken collarbone in Week 6 ended his season -- and ultimately his tenure with the Raiders. With Campbell at the helm, Oakland got out to a 4-2 start before it went on to finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs.
San Francisco corner Carlos Rogers and Campbell have been friends dating back to their time at Auburn, where they both became first-round picks in the 2005 NFL Draft.
"We're close. We're very close," Rogers said. "I've talked him the past two nights about playing. We're friends, so we'll talk no matter who we're playing."
He shot down the notion that he has any advantage due to practicing against Campbell first at Auburn, then as teammates with the Redskins.
“I know if Jason sees me out there,” Rogers began, “especially if he sees a safety single high (and us) one-on-one, I know he’s coming at me. And vice-versa. I’m looking forward to the challenge, 100 percent.”
Masifilo signed off practice squad: Tampa Bay signed rookie DL Matt Masifilo off the 49ers practice squad Friday, he announced on Twitter. Masifilo was a part of Harbaugh's initial recruiting class at Stanford in 2007 and quickly signed with 49ers after going undrafted this year.
Injury report: CB Chris Culliver (shoulder) and QB Smith (concussion) were both limited in practice Friday. Full participants included: RB Anthony Dixon (hamstring), S Dashon Goldson (ribs), LB Tavares Gooden (elbow, quadricep), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), RB Frank Gore (ribs, wrist), G Mike Iupati (quadricep), WR Mario Manningham (shoulder), DT Will Tukuafu (wrist) and LB Patrick Willis (shoulder).
Follow 49ers reporter Kyle Bonagura on Twitter @CBS49ers and @KyleBonagura.