Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The injury report this week for the San Francisco 49ers is the longest of the season as the team heads into their showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. San Francisco will need all hands on deck in their attempt to win the NFC West division for the second straight season. The 49ers already have clinched a playoff spot, but a win gives them the title of division champions. A Niners win, plus a loss by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday will clinch a first-round bye for San Francisco. With all of the injuries suffered over the past few weeks, a bye in the playoffs is crucial.

The two biggest questions marks for San Francisco on the injury report are tight end Vernon Davis and defensive tackle Justin Smith. Davis missed practice on Wednesday, and was limited on Thursday and Friday because of a concussion. The tight end suffered the concussion in the loss to the Seahawks last week and is listed as questionable. Even though Davis was on the field at practice on Friday, he wore a black non-contact jersey indicating we will unlikely play.

The 49ers offense will already be without receiver Mario Manningham who is out for the season with a knee injury, in addition to Kyle Williams. So Colin Kaepernick will have limited passing options in the game on Sunday and in the playoffs. This week Jim Harbaugh did say Davis was “on course” to play, but the head coach has downplayed injuries in the past. Davis will also be missed in the running game because of his great blocking and ability to open up rushing lanes. Fellow tight end Delaine Walker will be tasked with filling in for Davis as the starter. Walker has 19 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns.

Vernon Davis on playing Sunday:

I feel all right. I’m thinking I’ve got to be ready for this game, that’s how I’m approaching it. I don’t like sitting back and watching everybody play. I like to get out there and play, because that’s what I love to do. I love playing football.

Another player determined to go against the Cardinals, but will likely miss the game, is Justin Smith. He is a on the injury report as questionable, but he will not play against Arizona. The defensive tackle has missed practiced all week with a partial triceps tear. Smith suffered the injury three weeks ago when a bone spur detached in his elbow when he partially tore his left triceps. The injury typically takes 12 weeks to recover, but Smith said he wants to play if the 49ers are in the Wild Card round next week.

The 49ers defense will not be the same without Justin on the defensive line. All you need to do is look at the how the D was steamrolled against the Patriots and Seahawks to see how much he will be missed. His biggest contribution is gobbling up offensive linemen that allow Aldon Smith to use his stunt moves and quickness to disrupt the quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals will look to exploit this to their advantage on Sunday.

Full Injury Report:

Week 17: 49ers vs. Cardinals

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

Full Participation = 100% of a player’s normal repititions
Limited Participation = Less than 100% of a player’s normal repititions

Out = Player will not play
Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play
Questionable = 50% chance a player will play
Probable = 75% chance a player will play

Dec 23, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) reacts against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 42-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers (10-4-1) wrap up the regular season this weekend against the Arizona Cardinals (5-10) who are looking to play spoilers.  The 49ers will win the NFC West title with a win or a Seattle Seahawks loss.  The biggest other game to watch for a 49ers fan this weekend is the Green Bay Packers versus the Minnesota Vikings.  If the Packers lose and the 49ers win, the 49ers will lock up the second playoff seed and get a very important first round bye.  The 49ers have suffered several key injuries over the past few weeks and things are not looking good as they limp into the playoffs so the extra rest could prove vital.  Here are the 49ers Gold Points for the week:

• The 49ers announced this week that DE Justin Smith has a partially torn left triceps tendon.  His return for the playoffs is uncertain and he will likely not play against the Cardinals in order to avoid further injury.  This is a huge loss for the 49ers if he misses the playoffs.  As we saw against the Patriots and the Seahawks, this just isn’t the same defense without him on the field.  Coach Jim Harbaugh said today that Justin will need surgery in the offseason whether he plays or not.
• TE Vernon Davis was cleared for practice on Thursday after suffering a concussion during last Sunday’s game.  He is listed as questionable against the Cardinals.  He will have his final evaluation on Saturday.
• WR Mario Manningham is out for the season with a knee injury.  This should finally give rookie WR A.J. Jenkins an opportunity to get some balls thrown his way.  The 49ers are getting thin at the WR position and Randy Moss will need to step up his role from here on out.
• WR Michael Crabtree needs 67 yards against the Cardinals to become the 49ers’ first 1,000 yard receiver since 2003.
• 49ers promoted DL Tony Jerod-Eddie from the practice squad to the 53 man roster to replace Justin Smith.  Harbaugh expects him to be active on Sunday.
• The NFL announced this week that the 49ers will be sending 9 players to the 2013 Pro Bowl, 7 of which are starters. This is the most of any team in the league.
• There has been some speculation this week that the Cardinals could be interested in 49ers QB Alex Smith.  This is of course all speculation but it likely has some merit.  The Cardinals are in desperate need of a good QB and the 49ers are going to have to do something with Alex in the offseason.  Former 49ers and current Cardinals G Adam Snyder said this week he would welcome Smith.
• The 49ers are 11-0-1 against division opponents in their last 11 home games.

November 19, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and wide receiver Randy Moss (84) talk before the start of the game against the Chicago Bears at Candlestick Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers (9-3-1) face the New England Patriots (10-3) at Gillette Stadium at 5:20 PM PST this Sunday in the biggest game of their season so far.  The 49ers are coming off a redeeming win against the Miami Dolphins and need to maintain their lead over the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West title and the Green Bay Packers for the second NFC playoff seed.  The Patriots are coming off a dominating win against the Houston Texans on Monday night and look to take over the top AFC seed with a victory against the 49ers and a Texans loss. Here are the 49ers Gold Points for week 15:

• Week 16 game on Dec. 23^rd versus the Seahawks has been flexed to Sunday night.  This will be the 49ers’ sixth prime time game of the season which is the most league rules allow a single team to play.  The 49ers are 4-0 in prime time games so far (hopefully 5-0 after Sunday).
• The 49ers can clinch the NFC West title with a victory over the Patriots and a Seahawks loss to the Buffalo Bills.
• QB Colin Kaepernick is for the first time officially listed as the sole first team quarterback on the team’s depth chart.
• WR Mario Mannigham had limited participation in practice all week and did not participate on Friday.  He is doubtful for Sunday’s game.
• RB Brandon Jacobs was suspended for the final 3 games of the season.  Jacobs had 5 carries for 7 yards on the season.  He made public statements about his displeasure towards lack of playing time.  His roster spot was not filled as of Friday.
• TE/DT and special teams force Demarcus Dobbs was placed on the injured reserve after suffering a knee injury during the last game.  He is out for the season.
• LB Eric Bakhtiari was signed to the team to fill Dobb’s spot.
• We learned this week that Kaepernick apparently dislocated WR Randy Moss’ finger during the game against the Chicago Bears, which had never happened to Moss.  Moss likened Kaepernick’s throws to a Randy Johnson fastball!
• The “Kaepernicking” trend gained momentum.  In case you missed it, check it out here