Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into training camp the San Francisco 49ers had on paper one of the deepest and talented backfields with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Brandon Jacobs. For Jacobs, this season has been frustrating for the unhappy running back who many fans thought would be a bigger part of the offense. With his three game suspension over, the 49ers released Jacobs on Monday after one season with the team.

In the first preseason game Jacobs showed some promise, but shortly afterwards he injured his ankle and was out until October. Despite being healthy, he was only activated in Weeks 12 and 13, gaining a total of seven yards on four rushing attempts. Jacobs expressed his displeasure with his non-playing time on Twitter by tweeting,

I don’t understand why people are angry at me because I wanna do what I am paid to do, I am a competitive person, I think people should be mad if I didn’t wanna play, but I forgot the people that’s pissed they don’t have a athletic bone and their body

Shortly afterwards Jacobs was suspended for the final three games of the season for conduct detrimental to the team. The suspension was never fully explained by Jim Harbaugh or the team, but it was likely because of comments about his lack of playing time. Jacobs is a prime example of the perils of social media and sports players combining that result in negative consequences. Since Harbaugh has taken over, he has run the 49ers locker room with a motto of everything being about “the team, the team, the team.” Its clear Jacobs didn’t buy into that philosophy.

With the season over the 49ers were free to release Jacob’s and they don’t have to worry about another team picking up the running back. Any player claimed off waivers after the season is over cannot join their teams until after the Super Bowl.

In a move that was very much Belichick-esque, Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers announced today they have suspended disgruntled RB Brandon Jacobs today without pay in a move that really does not surprise considering the very public comments Jacobs has made this past week about his lack of playing time.  Jacobs has carried the ball 5 times for a total of 7 yards this season.

The 49ers had an excess of running backs and Jacobs never quite fit into Harbaugh’s plans.  When asked about the comments Jacobs made via his Twitter account and his status with the team during this afternoon’s press conference, Harbaugh chose to plead the 5th but did add “no comment.”  Shortly thereafter the team announced his suspension.

It is very likely Jacobs will appeal his suspension.  The moral of the story; this is Harbaugh’s team.

Credit: Ed Szczepanski-US PRESSWIRE

Leading up to a game on Sunday, the 49ers practice on Thursday’s is important because it’s when Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff start to implement their game plan for an opponent.  Players on offense and defense are running at full speed at practice learning the game plan, and those listed as limited or did not participate at practice gives a good indication of who will not play on Sunday.

At practice on Thursday this week running back Brandon Jacobs and Isaac Sopoaga fully participated after both missed last week’s game with left-knee injuries.  The offense and defense will both get a big boost this week against the Buffalo Bills if Jacobs and Sopoaga can play.  There were no setbacks reported for either player after Thursday’s practice, so we should expect to see both on the field on Sunday.

The Niners are as healthy as they have been since the start of training camp.  Not only were Jacobs and Sopoaga on the field, but Ted Ginn Jr., who returned last week, also fully participated and is not showing any signs of his ankle injury hampering his play.

One concern was for the second straight day NaVorro Bowman was wearing a black jersey which means no contact at practice.  It appears Bowman has a shoulder strain which could affect him in pass coverage.  However, I doubt Bowman will miss the game since was on the field practicing even though it was without contact.

The Bills have not listed their reports for Thursday’s practice; however, here is the participant list from Wednesday’s practice:

Did not practice: Safety Jairus Byrd (hip), Tackle Cordy Glenn (ankle), Defensive Tackle Spencer Johnson (ankle), Guard Kraig Urbik (ankle)

Limited:  WR Ruvell Martin (ankle)