Alex Smith Injury Update: Chiefs Quarterback Leaves After Hit to Head

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith left early in the first quarter of Week 8 after taking a hit to the head against the Indianapolis Colts.

Entering Week 8 of the 2016 NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs looked like they might be hitting their stride. Playing great football, they seemed ready to stay in the tough, tight fight atop the AFC West all season. And a big reason why has been the consistent solid play of quarterback Alex Smith. However, it appears they may be without that consistency for the immediate future.

As the Chiefs were taking on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8, Smith was trying to get a drive started early to put his team up early on the road. While scrambling and trying to pick up yardage, the quarterback gave himself up with a slide. That didn’t stop a Colts defender from coming in and hitting him right in the head, though.

Here’s a look at the nasty hit:

As if that wasn’t bad enough, there was no penalty called on the play.

Alex Smith got up from the play woozy and immediately went to the sidelines.

Chiefs backup Nick Foles came into the game for Smith. Though we don’t know the extent of the injury, it’s pretty clear that Smith is being evaluated for a concussion considering the nature of the hit and how he got up from it. This would be a huge blow to the Chiefs as Smith has been doing masterful work at quarterback, even if he’s still labeled a game-manager.

We’ll keep you updated as information becomes available.

Update, 1:21 p.m. ET

Alex Smith is back in the locker room being further evaluated.

Update, 2:11 p.m. ET

The Chiefs have their starting quarterback in the game once again.

Update, 3:04 p.m. ET

Smith took another big hit and his head slammed into the turf. He’s out once again with a possible concussion.