Smith struggles against Niners | The Salt Lake Tribune

NFL notes • Chiefs QB just 7 of 16, absorbs helmet-to-helmet hit in loss to San Francisco.

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Kansas City, Mo. • San Francisco coach Jim Harbaugh sought out Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith on Friday night, warmly greeting him on the field before their preseason game.

It was the kindest the 49ers were to their former teammate all night.

Smith struggled against a relentless pass rush while playing the entire first half for Kansas City, even taking a couple of wicked shots from the San Francisco defense, and then watched as backup quarterback B.J. Daniels threw a late touchdown pass to give the 49ers a 15-13 victory.

"It was different, definitely different," Smith said. "Those are guys I played a long time with and know very well. There was a lot of talking out there, back and forth from a lot of guys."

It turned out to be a strange reunion for Harbaugh, too.

"It felt a lot like going against my brother," he said. "It was different. It was personal, in the best kind of way. I wish him great success and health. We'll be following him."

Smith was wrestled to the ground at least half a dozen times, the most vicious blow coming when defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie leveled a helmet-to-helmet hit. He was flagged for a personal foul on the play.

Around the league

Browns • Cleveland rookie linebacker Barkevious Mingo remained hospitalized Friday, a day after suffering a bruised lung in the first half of an exhibition game against Detroit.

Mingo, the No. 6 overall pick in the draft, will stay at least one more night at The Cleveland Clinic, where he was taken before the end of the 24-6 win over the Lions.

Lions • Detroit has signed defensive tackles Justin Bannan and John Drew and released cornerback Conroy Black and defensive end Braylon Broughton. —

Preseason schedule

Friday

Buffalo 20, Minnesota 16

New Orleans 28, Oakland 20

San Francisco 15, Kansas City 13

New England 25, Tampa Bay 21

Saturday

• Dallas at Arizona, 2:30 p.m., NFL Network

Tennessee at Cincinnati, 5 p.m.

• Jacksonville at N.Y. Jets, 5:30 p.m., NFL Network

Green Bay at St. Louis, 6 p.m.

Miami at Houston, 6 p.m.

• Denver at Seattle, 8 p.m., NFL Network

Sunday

Indianapolis at N.Y. Giants, 5 p.m.

Monday

Pittsburgh at Washington, 6 p.m.