Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into Saturday’s NFC Divisional Round playoff game the San Francisco 49ers listed 13 players on their injury report. But fear not 49ers Faithful, all of the players were listed as probable and are expected to play against the Green Bay Packers.

Of the 13 players on the injury report CB Tarell Bown, S Dashon Goldson, LB Clark Haggans, FB Bruce Miller, LB Aldon Smith, DT Will Tukuafu and DT Justin Smith were limited at practice this week.

The top concern for us is Justin Smith and he is expected to start the game despite him being limited at practice all week. Smith partially tore his left triceps against the New England Patriots which caused him to miss the final two games of the season.

Having Smith on the defensive line will be a big boost, but how effective he will be is a huge question mark. Justin will need to be effective in order to free up Aldon Smith on the outside to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers and disrupting the passing attack. One worry is Justin will further damage his left triceps by playing, but if Jim Harbaugh says he is good to go, then you know he will be fine.

God willing and the creek don’t rise, he’s going to play, Harbaugh said.

On the Packers side, DE Jerel Worthy and WR Jarrett Boykin are out for the game. WRs Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson are probable after missing practice Wednesday, being limited on Thursday and full participants Friday.

Here is the full injury report:

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

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

Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mario Manningham was absent from practice on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury.  If you recall, he left the Sunday’s loss to the St. Louis Rams in the fourth quarter which depleted an already thin receiver’s corps.

With Kyle Williams having season-ending ACL surgery on Wednesday and the potential loss of Manningham against the Dolphins this week, the 49ers could have only a total of four wide receivers available.  Those receivers are Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, Ted Ginn Jr. and A.J. Jenkins.  We all know Crabtree and Moss can be counted on to give Colin Kaepernick good receiving options.  But Ginn only has two catches this season and Jenkins was activated for the first time in his career last week, but did not play a single snap.

Ginn should not be looked at as a third or fourth receiving option.  The 49ers cannot risk him getting injured because of his importance in the return game.  He missed the first three games of the season with an ankle injury and recently hurt his wrist against Saints. His injury was bad enough that it was uncertain if he would play against the Rams last Sunday.  With Williams and Kendall Hunter out for the season, who were the backup returners, the 49ers have very limited options in the return game if he gets hurt gain. They must not expose him to injury on offense.

Jenkins is fully healthy, but the first-round draft pick has not seen action on the field this season.  Regardless of whether or not Manningham will play on Sunday, Jenkins will get onto the field at wide receiver.  How effective he will be is a whole another story.