49ers Vs. Saints: Injury Report, Alex Smith Cleared To Play

Credit: Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE

The San Francisco 49ers released an injury report for Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints.  No surprise with Alex Smith on the report listed with a concussion, but he has been medically cleared to play for Sunday’s showdown.  Despite Smith being able to play, Jim Harbaugh already decided to go with Colin Kaepernick’s hot hand at quarterback.

For the second straight week, Smith was at practice on Thursday wearing a black, non-contact jersey.  Before Smith was medically cleared on Friday to play, Niners offensive coordinator Greg Roman had this to say about Smith,

He’s looked good, really sharp. He’s gotten plenty of practice time. There’s a lot of different scenarios this week and it’s fluid. We talk through them, and it will change according to how the big picture changes, and obviously the quarterback position is a huge piece of that.

The 49ers have 11 players listed on the injury report with cornerbacks Chris Culliver (shoulder), Tarell Brown (knee), and safety Dashon Goldson (ribs, calf) as the surprises.  All three were listed as being limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday.  Their injuries were suffered during the 49ers Monday night win over the Bears, but they are expected to play on Sunday.

The Saints have seven players on their injury report, with four players having not participated in practice all week.  Darren Sproles, who has missed the last three games because of hand surgery, has been a full participant for the second day in a row and is probable to play.

DNP = Did not participate in practice
LP = Limited participation in practice
FP = Full participation