Alex Smith understandably is upset about being sent to the bench.
Brooks: The Kaepernick advantage
Jim Harbaugh's decision to start Colin Kaepernick over Alex Smith is bold, but it's also correct. Bucky Brooks explains why. **More ...**
The San Francisco 49ers' former starting quarterback will watch as second-year pro Colin Kaepernick makes his third consecutive start Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
"I mean, it sucks. I don't know what else to say," Smith said Thursday, per Matt Maiocco of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.
Smith told reporters in his first comments since being benched that the only thing he did to lose his job was suffer a concussion the last time the 49ers played the Rams, a 24-24 tie in Week 10.
Much has changed for coach Jim Harbaugh's team in the weeks since, but Smith said players state their case with their play, per Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.
"I felt I did that," said Smith, who leads the NFL in completion percentage (70.0) and ranks fifth in passer rating (104.1).
"It stings the most just because I really felt there was something special going on here, and you sacrifice and invest so much time," Smith added, via The Associated Press. "... I have no idea what's going to happen from here. All I can do now is just prepare and get ready."
Smith has been cleared from his concussion, so he could play if needed. But one thing Smith won't do is try to talk Harbaugh out of his decision.
"At this point, what's talk going to do?" Smith said, via The AP. "I feel like he made up his mind, and he's not a guy that didn't put thought into it already. I don't get to make those decisions. That's what he gets paid to do. I play football. So that's what I'm going to continue to do."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
