Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers defense too much for Chicago Bears

SAN FRANCISCO -- As Alex Smith stood on the sideline with a concussion, San Francisco's potential quarterback of the future went to work -- and fast. Strong-armed fill-in Colin Kaepernick made all the right throws, looking every bit a capable NFL No. 1.

Kaepernick passed for 243 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start in place of the injured Smith, and the 49ers whipped the Chicago Bears 32-7 on Monday night in a highly touted NFC showdown that hardly lived up to the hype.

"It's everything I could've ever wished for," Kaepernick said. "It feels great just to be out there."

Kaepernick threw touchdown passes to Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree, and Kendall Hunter ran for a 14-yard score as San Francisco (7-2-1) jumped out to a big lead by scoring on each of its first four possessions -- with Aldon Smith wreaking havoc on the other side of the ball with 5.5 sacks.

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49ERS VOICE: Alex Smith declared out for Monday night

49ERS VOICE: Alex Smith declared out for Monday night: The Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has been declared out for Monday night's game aga...

Cutler to remain sidelined by concussion

Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) walks off the field after he threw an illegal forward pass and took a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Tim Dobbins in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012. The Texans won 13-6. Cutler did not return in the second half after suffering a concussion. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

By ANDREW SELIGMAN (AP Sports Writer) | The Associated Press

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler missed practice on Thursday and his playing status remains in question because of a concussion.

Coach Lovie Smith said Cutler continues to improve, but it's not clear if he'll be ready to play at San Francisco on Monday night.

If Cutler can't play, Jason Campbell will likely start.

The Bears believe Cutler was injured on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Houston's Tim Dobbins late in the second quarter of Sunday's loss. He finished the half but sat out the final two quarters after showing symptoms in the locker room at the break.

Cutler needs to be cleared by team physicians and independent neurological consultants before he can return. The same goes for teammate Shea McClellin and 49ers quarterback Alex Smith, who also suffered concussions last week.

Lovie Smith gave mostly vague answers about Cutler.

When asked if he expects his quarterback to practice on Friday, saying, ''Wait 'til tomorrow and see.''

He also left open the possibility of Cutler playing without practicing this week, assuming he gets cleared. But he wouldn't say if the Bears would hold out their quarterback even if the doctors gave the OK to play.

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