SANTA CLARA -- Quarterback Alex Smith earlier this week was cleared for practice after sustaining a concussion on Sunday. It's a clear indication he is likely to start for the 49ers on Monday night against the Chicago Bears.
RELATED: Sportlight on the enemy -- Chicago Bears
However, coach Jim Harbaugh on Friday did not announced Smith as his starter."(It) seems like things are progressing," Harbaugh said. "The same thing we've always said, again, it's in the doctors' hands and they'll evaluate him as the week goes. There seems to be some progress."We're still going through the process of that."When asked if Smith would again visit with a neurologist, Harbaugh said, "Yeah, it's part of the progression."The Chicago Bears on Friday announced Jay Cutler is out for the game due to a concussion. Veteran backup Jason Campbell is slated to start for the Bears.McDONALD FINED: Defensive lineman Ray McDonald was fined 21,000 for roughing the passer, the NFL announced Friday. McDonald, who was called for a penalty on the play, made helmet to helmet contact with St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford.Safety Dashon Goldson was not fined for removing his helmet. And Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar was not fined for what the league ruled was a legal helmet-to-helmet hit on Alex Smith. Smith was out of the pocket and did not go into a feet-first slide, so he was granted no special protection as a quarterback.MASIFILO SIGNED: Rookie defensive tackle Matthew Masifilo (Stanford) was signed off the 49ers' practice squad to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 53-man roster, he revealed Friday on Twitter. Players on the practice squad can be signed at any point to another team's active roster without compensation. Masifilo is the second player signed off the 49ers' practice squad this season. In September, the Indianapolis Colts signed wide receiver Nathan Palmer.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.