The Kansas City Chiefs believe Alex Smith didn't suffer a concussion in Week 8 despite multiple hits to the head.

Head trainer Rick Burkholder explained Smith passed the initial five-question checklist part of the league's concussion protocol on the sideline. Smith went into the locker room because of a laceration on his ear, and passed further tests for a concussion while in the locker room, too. Smith exited the game the second time after taking another hit to the head and later was ruled out with a concussion, which Burkholder explained was a miscommunication.

"The only mistake was me telling (the spokesman) concussion, out," Burkholder said.

Smith will see an independent neurologist in Kansas City this week.