49ers Vs. Saints, 2012 NFL Playoffs: Delanie Walker Could Be Cleared By Monday

by David Fucillo on Jan 10, 2012 3:05 PM PST in 49ers Injury News

This should not come as a huge surprise, but it has just about become all but certain that tight end Delanie Walker will not play this Saturday against the New Orleans Saints. Walker broke his jaw in Week 16 against the Seahawks and was on a liquid diet for a week and a half after that. There is some optimism that Walker could be cleared to return to practice this coming Monday if the 49ers are able to win on Saturday.

As Coach Harbaugh mentioned on Monday, Walker is showing some awesome powers of healing. Walker indicated his injury normally would mean having his jaw wired shut for four to six weeks but he was cleared to eat and talk in a week and a half. He said he lost minimal weight during his liquid diet, so getting back to playing shape shouldn't be too much of an issue.

The most pertinent issue is how the 49ers offense will operate this Saturday. They were fairly explosive against the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago, but the Saints are just slightly different than the Rams (Week 8 upset aside). The 49ers will roll with Vernon Davis and Justin Peelle as their two tight ends. They do not have a traditional third tight end available, so we could see even more of Isaac Sopoaga and Moran Norris in the heavier packages.

The 49ers use two tight ends in their base offense in part because Davis and Walker are dual receiving/blocking threats. It provides the team with the ability to disguise runs and passes. With Peelle in as the second tight end, it will be interesting to see if they go with nearly as many two tight end sets.

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Bruce Miller may play a big part....

Clearly will need Bruce awesome, vicious blocking but I think Millers swing pass catching out of the backfield may be a factor.

by BigMar on Jan 10, 2012 3:23 PM PST reply actions

Moran Norris

As much as I know people hate him on the field, I wonder how many sets we’ll see with Norris and Miller on the field.

by reedkrase on Jan 10, 2012 3:35 PM PST reply actions

Don't know about Norris...

But love when 49ers call plays with a three-headed backfield of (Hunter,Gore & Miller) in almost a wishbone look. Lots of options to call plays out of that formation running or passing that has worked this year. Definitely, a different look for the Saints Defense to consider how to stop!!

Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!

The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!

by Kidd2Petrovic on Jan 10, 2012 3:45 PM PST up reply actions

Yup inverted wishbone , i like that formation too ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!

by Edggy on Jan 11, 2012 8:41 AM PST up reply actions

BTW there's a great video of Delanie being interviewed on CSN Bay Area Niner videos section

dated from today. He’s standing, talking, he looks and sounds great!

Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh

by El Dorado on Jan 10, 2012 4:32 PM PST reply actions

http://www.csnbayarea.com/ninersvideo

They won’t let you link to a single video, but right now it should be one of the first ones up there.

“1.10 49ers practice— Delanie Walker”

by El Dorado on Jan 10, 2012 4:35 PM PST up reply actions

Hey guys

Delanie isn’t going to play but just wait and see what I have planned. We’re already game planning for the packers at this point.

by Coach Harbaugh on Jan 10, 2012 4:34 PM PST reply actions

Not too worried

he has 3 rushes for 5 yards and 19 catches in 35 targets in 15 games. So he gets throw to ~2x game and catches ~1.
That is – at most – a change of pace. I am pretty sure Peelle while not so talented will be as productive as Walker. Since Walker is just a decoy 90% of the time anyway, Peelle would be an even better Decoy.

I realize he is fast for a TE, but you have to be able to live without your 2nd TE. Probably they will throw 1 play Pelle’s way and an extra play to Miller.

The only “orange” flag is that DW does have 3 TDs this year… but it’s not like the RZ offense has been clicking WITH him lately, so I am sure it can be worked around.

[Poorly Wrought THING] is what Brian Sabean would have made if he were a [THING-maker] instead of a MLB GM

by zenbitz on Jan 10, 2012 4:35 PM PST reply actions