Head Injury Keeps Ram Center Smith Out of Tonight’s Game With the 49ers

Ram center Doug Smith will not play against the 49ers tonight after experiencing recurrences of symptoms of a head injury Sunday, and he may not play any more this season.

Tony Slaton, a second-year pro, will start at center, playing opposite 295-pound 49er nose tackle Michael Carter, who is having a strong season.

Smith, a Pro Bowl selection last season, was driving Sunday when he became nauseous and felt pain and tingling in his neck and arms. Instead of joining the team for its flight here, he was admitted to Centinela Hospital Medical Center for neurological tests today.

After the Rams played at New Orleans a week ago, Smith remained overnight to be checked for a possible head injury. He returned home the next day, was given further tests, practiced Friday and Saturday without any problems and was cleared to play tonight.

Smith’s problem was first diagnosed as “a bruise on the brain,” but team physician Dr. Toby Freedman said it might not even be the result of a blow.

“It could be a migraine type of condition,” Freedman said. “We don’t know anything for sure yet.”