ATLANTA -- Falcons coach Mike Smith is feeling "fine" heading into Thursday night's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars following a one-night stay in a Charlotte, N.C., hospital for chest discomfort, according to a source very close to the situation.
The source spoke with Smith on more than one count Thursday morning and said the coach himself noted he feels fine. The Sports Xchange reported Wednesday that Smith might undergo further medical tests after experiencing more chest pains this week.
"The Falcons will have no comment on the report," team spokesman Reggie Roberts told ProFootballTalk.com on Wednesday, and my source said a regular and standard follow-up appointment was scheduled at some point between Smith's departure from the Charlotte hospital and Monday. That appointment subsequently was confirmed for this Friday.
Any recent reports suggesting Smith suddenly is in need of further testing Friday are false, and any reports regarding the need for the coach to check in to Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta this week, I'm told, also are "incorrect."
Smith, 52, has attended all practices and meetings this week as normal, and he even stayed last night at the team hotel, per the Falcons' usual home-game routine.
When asked if the team has discussed a "next-coach-in-line" scenario should Smith experience any future setbacks, the source immediately said the Falcons haven't discussed any such plan.
Follow Stacey Dales on Twitter @StaceyDales.
