Alex Smith suffers two head injuries against Indianapolis

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith left Sunday’s game against Indianapolis with an apparent head injury. Twice.

The veteran passer ate a big helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter and left the game.

Smith rolled out of the pocket to his right before Edwin Jackson closed quickly in the open field. He gave himself up with a late slide, but still absorbed a shot from the Indianapolis linebacker. Smith remained on the field for a brief period before slowly walking to the sideline.

He was replaced by Nick Foles, who found Travis Kelce in the end zone to help push the Kansas City lead to 10-3 early in the contest.

The Chiefs confirmed Smith was being evaluated for a concussion after leaving the game. The team later reported he’d cleared the league’s concussion protocol and was deemed questionable to return. He re-entered the game early in the second quarter, but wouldn’t stay long.

Smith used his legs to avoid trouble in the pocket once again, but had his head shoved into the turf as he slid by Indianapolis safety Clayton Geathers.

Smith stayed down on the field and was checked out by the team’s training staff before being walked to the sideline. He was again replaced by Foles, who finished the Chiefs’ drive with a 34-yard passing touchdown to Tyreek Hill.

Smith has since been ruled out of the game and will not return in Week 8.