National Football League

Source: Smith may undergo more testing

Published Dec. 14, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Although cleared by a Charlotte-area hospital earlier this week, Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith could undergo further physical testing this week after suffering some persistent chest-related discomfort, sources told The Sports Xchange on Wednesday evening.

Smith, 52, was admitted Sunday night to a Charlotte hospital after the team's comeback victory over the Carolina Panthers earlier in the day when he complained of some pain and nausea when boarding the team's charter flight back to Atlanta.

The Falcons' coach was released Monday morning, and returned to Atlanta, and the team and Smith indicated that he had not suffered a heart attack. Smith has been present for all the team's practices this week as the Falcons (8-5) prepared for a Thursday night game at the Georgia Dome against the Jacksonville jaguars.

Smith is expected to coach Thursday night, and will likely undergo some precautionary tests as early as Friday. Sources said that it is possible Smith could be hospitalized for the testing, but that has not yet been confirmed.

In his fourth season as the Falcons' coach, Smith has compiled a 41-22 record, and led the team to the playoff each of the past two seasons, including an NFC South title and the NFC's best regular-season record in 2010.