KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Alex Smith’s efficient performance for the Kansas City Chiefs became even more impressive on Monday.
The quarterback sprained his throwing shoulder late in the first half of Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams. Not only did Smith never miss a snap, he went on to complete 24 of 28 passes for 226 yards in what turned into a 34-7 rout at Arrowhead Stadium.
Smith never mentioned the injury in his postgame remarks. It wasn’t until Chiefs coach Andy Reid brought it up Monday that anybody learned of it outside the Kansas City locker room.
“He was able to obviously go through the game and everything worked out OK, but a bit sore today,” Reid said. “I believe it was right before halftime actually where it happened. He just kind of landed on it. Probably more of a bruise than anything, but it was tender.”
While the game turned into a lopsided affair, it was nip-and-tuck at the time. The teams were tied 7-all before the Chiefs’ Cairo Santos kicked a career-best 53-yarder with 1 second left before the break. Kansas City went on to score 24 unanswered points in the second half.
Reid said Smith went through a series of examinations on Monday and there was no substantial damage to the shoulder. The coach declined to say whether Smith will practice as usual this week, but he did say his quarterback was “upbeat about it.”
“Just need a little time to get the soreness out of there,” Reid said.
The Chiefs play the struggling New York Jets on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. If Smith is limited in any way, backup quarterback Chase Daniel would be under center.
Reid did not have any update on the hamstring injuries sustained by cornerback Jamell Fleming and linebacker Josh Martin during the game. He did say that cornerback Chris Owens remains sidelined by a sprained knee and that safety Eric Berry continues to progress from a sprained ankle.