49ers vs. Eagles, Final Injury Report: Frank Gore, Donte Whitner Questionable For Sunday

by David Fucillo on Sep 30, 2011 3:17 PM PDT in 49ers Injury News

The Eagles and 49ers released their final injury reports for Sunday. Most everything is just about as expected with Frank Gore and Donte Whitner both listed as questionable for Sunday. In his Friday press conference, Jim Harbaugh seemed to indicate everybody but Edwards and Norris would likely play on Sunday. Specifically, he was asked the following:

Jim I know you haven't practiced today, but do you have any sense of which guys you will consider game time decisions as far as the guys that have been on the injury report?

"No, I expect the one's that will play will play, and the ones that are out, to be out."

Meaning Moran Norris and Braylon Edwards out, and the other guys good to go?

"Yeah, I expect them to play."

It sounds like he thinks guys like Gore and Whitner will play, but they are still looking like definite game-time decisions. If they are both unable to play, Kendall Hunter would likely get the start at running back while Madieu Williams would be the "starter" at strong safety, with Reggie Smith coming in on third down.

It's easy to get overly excited about Kendall Hunter early on, but his ability to hit the corner and also the fact that he has shown an ability on occasion to "push the pile" a bit leaves me intrigued by what he could do in a starting role on Sunday. The big burst through the holes have been great, but one of my favorite plays was a reception in which he pushed the defenders a couple yards to get the first down.

I imagine he'd have plenty of ups and downs, but you can't tell me you're not the least bit curious about what he could do with 15 or 20 carries.

49ers
Out
WR Braylon Edwards (knee)
FB Moran Norris (fibula)

Questionable
RB Frank Gore (ankle)
SS Donte Whitner (hip

Probable
WR Michael Crabtree (foot)
OG Mike Iupati (neck)

Eagles
Out
CB Brandon Hughes (hamstring)
DE Juqua Parker (ankle)

Doubtful
DE Darryl Tapp (pectoral)

Probable
S Nate Allen (knee)
WR Riley Cooper (concussion)
TE Clay Harbor (biceps)
OT Winston Justice (knee)
WR Jeremy Maclin (hamstring)
WR Steve Smith (knee)
QB Michael Vick (right hand)

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Comments

Need

We need to have Whitner play he needs to stop the deep ball

by Caveman24 on Sep 30, 2011 3:25 PM PDT reply actions

yeah, we def need him

but, i’d rather not risk further injury this earlier in the season…im sure we’ll need him later on more

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Sep 30, 2011 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Plus

I think Reggie ready to start ballin

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Sep 30, 2011 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

We also need

To get the ground game rolling, and sustain drives. We can contain the eagles to a degree. But this is a offense that will break a few if given too many opportunities.

by Gerald Tarrant on Sep 30, 2011 3:28 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Yes

We can contain there O is overrated I think our D get the job done

by Caveman24 on Sep 30, 2011 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

It's time for the NFL

to learn about Kendall Hunter. Nothing says headlines like the rookie leading the Niners to a win over the Eagles with a huge performance on the ground. I wouldn’t hate seeing Dixon getting some carries either. Whenever Asante Samuel is on the field, the 49ers should be running directly at him (he didn’t get rated 29 at tackling in Madden for no reason).

by Andrew Davidson on Sep 30, 2011 3:49 PM PDT reply actions

haha...thats a horrible tackle rating

I think Deion mighta been higher

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Sep 30, 2011 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Call be crazy but...

I have a gut feeling that the 49ers are going to blow out the Eagles this Sunday. The game will be close until the middle of the 3rd quarter and then the Niners defense will begin to take over and Smith will capitalize.

by Leoniner on Sep 30, 2011 3:57 PM PDT reply actions

if that happens

I might literally Vick in my pants (my son’s exact words)

He’s 5

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Sep 30, 2011 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Hunter running for 6.6 yds/att

was the best part of the preseaon. I’d love to see what he could do in a start against the Eagles sunday. Dude is hungry!

Also, Aldon Smith.

by Leon Sphinx on Sep 30, 2011 3:58 PM PDT reply actions

yeah id love to see them unleash Aldon this game...

Him and brooks could be a great tandem

by ninernation_rules on Sep 30, 2011 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah Fooch

I remember that play where Hunter got hit short of the first and willed his way past the marker. You’d be surprised how much power generates from such a small frame…he’s only a few pounds short of MJ Drew, faster too.

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Sep 30, 2011 4:07 PM PDT reply actions

Playing against top flight corners

gives you the opportunity to work their aggressiveness with double moves. Perfect setup since our tape shows nothing but short quick passes.

I say stop and go w/ anybody but Ginn…when we bring him in, everybody knows he’s a downfield threat.

Give K Wills some Welker like plays.

Give tha guy a break...I remember losing most of our games because of mistakes by players that did not play the quarterback position.

I'm sure Norv Turner is a good judge of a good QB...even he said the guy can be good w/ quality people around him.

by NewAgecorner1 on Sep 30, 2011 4:15 PM PDT reply actions

Said it before, say it once again with feeling...

“Something good comes out of every bad situation.” Case in point, Hunter will get bulk of the carries and Dixon will get in the mix. The “bad” is obviously Gore’s condition. The “good” is that the Niner brain-trust will have in your face proof that Gore can be adequately replaced. Had he NOT got hurt, it would have been the same old same old all over again. The fun at running back will come in in following games. Can you say controversy?

by ninernutt on Sep 30, 2011 5:33 PM PDT reply actions

One other tiny thing...

All teams have seen on tape is our futile efforts to open running lanes “between the tackles” like since the beginning of time with Gore. Hunter can run between the tackle just as well, AND hit the edge with quickness to the second level. The Eagles will not have an answer for that until it is too late.

by ninernutt on Sep 30, 2011 5:37 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe it will cause the offensive playbook to be opened up

since both Gore & Dixon do not have the same skillset that Frank has it will force Coach Harbaugh & Greg Roman to try different tactics with the offense.

Use the stretch play, attack the LB’s & Safeties with the short passing game, also add in more screens to use the aggressiveness of their D-Line against them. That would obviously also help the O-line & Alex Smith

Follow @lok2685

by Lok on Sep 30, 2011 5:46 PM PDT reply actions