"The NFL reviewed Chicago's handling of the concussion suffered by quarterback Jay Cutler, and determined the team correctly followed concussion protocol, according to a league spokesman, while coach Lovie Smith maintained the Bears actually went beyond the league's requirements.

"Forget about the NFL's protocol, how about just in general with us. If a player has a concussion or any injury he's not going back into the game. It's as simple as that," Smith said Monday. "Once we found out that Jay Cutler, Shea McClellin had concussions, our protocol would say that they are out of the football game."

Smith said Cutler is "getting better," and added that he "was feeling better at the end of the game," but the quarterback's status for the Bears' Nov. 19 game against the San Francisco 49ers is unclear with a battery of tests ahead this week to determine if he can play.