Delanie Walker Injury Update: Coach Harbaugh Will Not Rule Him Out

by David Fucillo on Jan 9, 2012 11:28 AM PST in 49ers Injury News

49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh just got finished chatting with the media and he dropped some intriguing information about Delanie Walker that could be read in a couple different ways. Coach Harbaugh was asked about whether the team would make a roster move to replace Walker and he said they would not make a move, but would instead keep the spot open for Walker. Coach Harbaugh said the team had received some great news about Walker last Wednesday and that he had made tremendous progress and had great powers of healing.

There are a couple ways to look at this bit of information. The information does not guarantee that Walker will be available this week, but if the 49ers think he could be back playing next week, it makes sense to keep him off injured reserve. The 49ers do use a lot of two tight end sets, but if the team is content with Justin Peelle as the backup tight end, I'm not sure adding Konrad Reuland or a free agent would make a much of a difference in such a short timeframe.

Tre9er had an interesting comment on Twitter as well. Coach Harbaugh was quite enthusiastic about Walker and one has to imagine part of that might have been for show. After all, if the Saints have to prepare for the 49ers coming out in their traditional two tight end sets, it opens up some modest advantages in game-planning. Coaches will play a lot of games with injury news and it would not surprise me if that was part of what was going on now. That's not to say Delanie Walker won't play this weekend. Rather, it's just one more part of the puzzle to consider.

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I think DW is mindgame material

My hunch is that he won’t play, (which is sad), but that he wants to keep Payton gameplanning for it just in case.

by brundylop on Jan 9, 2012 11:48 AM PST reply actions

He may not play but they're not gonna clear a roster spot because he will probably be ready for the Packers.

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by Drew Kerr on Jan 9, 2012 1:01 PM PST up reply actions

And he'll definitely be healthy for the patriots game.

by ninerspride on Jan 9, 2012 1:22 PM PST up reply actions

or Ravens :)

49ers 2012 Offseason: HELP WANTED at WR, DBs, & O-Line

by Giants49war on Jan 9, 2012 5:45 PM PST up reply actions

I could see him getting cleared to play

But being limited on the field and being monitored closely. If the pain becomes too much, take him out. Not that the injury is the same, but we have seen it done a few years ago with Anquan Boldin. Delanie is tough SOB too. If you give him the choice to sit or play, I guarantee he plays.

by agchee on Jan 9, 2012 12:03 PM PST reply actions

I can see D-walk out there this week

Boldin’s hit was vicious! Delanie’s might not have been that bad so I think their is a chance. Considering all the rules that protect a player above the head, especially being an offensive player, i think its a 70% chance of D-walk storms a brewing on saturday.

by ngonzales4949 on Jan 9, 2012 12:13 PM PST reply actions

Harbaugh didn't seem that confident in the press conference when asked about the Saints

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by bignerd on Jan 9, 2012 12:55 PM PST reply actions

He seemed fine to me...

He said they have a good offense.

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by Drew Kerr on Jan 9, 2012 1:00 PM PST up reply actions

I hope Tebow can maybe send over some love and use his healing powers to heal Walkers jaw in time.

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by Drew Kerr on Jan 9, 2012 12:59 PM PST reply actions

Not healing powers....Tebow let loose & hit several deep passes

by BigMar on Jan 9, 2012 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

Can he use his powers

To make sure Crabtree is one-on-one the whole game? That’d be nice.

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by Badly Browned on Jan 9, 2012 1:53 PM PST up reply actions

They aren't going to respect our receivers...

They’re gonna blitz the crap out of us and leave people one-on-one on the edge… the corners will most likely try and tale away the inside slant passes and force Smith to go over the top on them.

I would not be surprised to see them trying to blitz 70% of the time…maybe more… until it stops working and they have to go to plan B.

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by Drew Kerr on Jan 9, 2012 2:28 PM PST up reply actions

We ALL know what the Saints gonna do....crowd the line of scrimmage

try to get Frank Gore and our run game frustrated and, Yes, make Alex Smith PROVE he can beat them.

No Rocket Science here…..Alex Smith will have to PROVE he is a Playoff caliber Q.B.

by BigMar on Jan 9, 2012 2:40 PM PST up reply actions

One on one?

You mean more like wide open with no one within 15 yards so Tebows ducks can land lol

by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 9, 2012 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

Walker hasn't been a big part of the passing game for weeks before he got injured ...

… ……so to say Harbaugh is trying to mis-inform the Saints in ference to Walker is absurd , not his style and as far as I’ve seen from the Offense it hasn’t all the sudden morphed into something different then in past 6 weeks , …!!

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 9, 2012 2:49 PM PST reply actions