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Alex Smith Suffered Concussion In Loss To Cowboys

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS Sports) - The big storyline from Dallas' incredible comeback win in San Francisco was Tony Romo's ability to lead the team to victory despite suffering a puncture lung and broken ribs.

But as it turns out, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith suffered an injury too -- he suffered a concussion against the Cowboys but played through it.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that Smith suffered the concussion "at some point during the game" but never showed symptoms while the 49ers were still playing. Only afterwards did Smith display symptoms of the concussion.

"Tough son of a gun," Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday, per the Bee. "He was making some big-time plays. I think we talked about it after each of these games, definitely watch the tape and see the same thing. Pleased with the way Alex is playing and we definitely want to play better. He wants to, we want to, and that goes for all positions on the offensive side of the ball, and include coaching in that. We're striving to do it all better."

One thing Harbaugh's team needs to do better is protect Smith -- he was sacked six times by Rob Ryan's defense, though the concussion didn't necessarily occur on one of those plays -- Barrows notes he was hit hardest on a completion.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS Interactive. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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