49ers Notes: Smith in for sure; Gore likely to play

Posted by sf49ers

October 28, 2007 |

Alex Smith officially became the San Francisco 49er’s starting QB again last Thursday. He is expected to start when the 49ers take on last year’s miracle team, the New Orleans Saints. It appears running back Frank Gore will be out there with him, though he might not be at full strength after spraining his right ankle last weekend in a 33-15 loss to the New York Giants. He is listed as probable for the game. This will be Smith’s first start since seperating his shoulder, Sept. 30, when he tacked on the Seattle Seahawks. Here is the rest of the article:

Coach Mike Nolan decided Smith was ready after watching him complete a second consecutive day of practice with no signs of problems.

“I saw him get a lot of reps today and yesterday,” Nolan said. “He looked good. He looked healthy. I expect him to play well.”

The 49ers’ offense has been at the center of the team’s slide, ranking last in six key categories, including total yards, first downs and passing.

Trent Dilfer, who started the previous two games and played most of a third in the absence of Smith, will remain the backup, Nolan said. Shaun Hill will continue as the No. 3 quarterback. Nolan had considered moving Hill to No. 2 earlier this week.

Gore, meanwhile, saidit was “tough” working on his tender ankle but added he will be on the field Sunday. “I want to play, and I feel confident I’ll be able to go,” he said. “It’s getting better day by day.”

• Left tackle Jonas Jennings (ankle) and wide receiver Darrell Jackson (quadriceps strain) were held out of practice for a second consecutive day and downgraded to doubtful.

Like Gore, Jennings kept playing after spraining his ankle early against the Giants.

If Jennings can’t play, Adam Snyder would start in his place for the second time this season. If Jackson has to sit out the game, Ashley Lelie is expected to start in his place.

• Defensive end Bryant Young, the only player still on the roster from the 49ers’ last championship team, has been wearing his Super Bowl ring to every game.

Young was a rookie in 1994 when the 49ers won their fifth title. He said he had seldom taken the ring out of a safety deposit box before this season but decided wearing it weekly could help inspire the current 49ers.

“For me, it’s a message of, ‘Play like a champion and be the best you can possibly be on Sunday,’ ” Young said. “And it’s a reminder of what it felt like to play and to earn that ring.”

• Tackle Damane Duckett suffered severe cramps in the locker room after practice and was taken by ambulance to Stanford Hospital for treatment of dehydration, team spokesman Aaron Salkin said.

• Safety Keith Lewis (hamstring) missed a second consecutive day of practice and has been ruled out of Sunday’s game.

Source: San Jose Mercury News