Alex Smith on benching: 'It sucks'

Former San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback Alex Smith had the reaction you would expect after being demoted.

“It sucks,” Smith said, according to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News. “I feel the only thing I did to lose my job was get a concussion.”

Smith had not played since suffering a concussion in a tie against the St. Louis Rams three weeks ago. Calin Kaepernick led the Niners to a victory over the Chicago Bears when Smith was sidelined and then started in last Sunday’s win at New Orleans after Smith had been medically cleared to return. San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh announced Wednesday he was going to Kaepernick this week at St. Louis because he is going to play the “hot hand.”

"It's such a great team, great locker room and something special is going on here,” Smith said. “It's tough pill to swallow.”

You wonder how much longer Smith will be a part of the special thing going on in San Francisco. The former No. 1 overall pick will certainly be looking for an opportunity to start next season. And he might think twice if he gets hit in the head again about sharing any symptoms he might have. Concussions cost players jobs and Smith is proof.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune