During the preseason, NFL teams are not required to release a weekly injury report. Instead, the media has to figure out for themselves who might be hurt and get the answers from the coaches. Normally that would seem rather difficult for the 49ers given how tight-lipped their coaching staff is, but we have gotten a decent amount of information recently.
The injured list grew by one yesterday as tight end Delanie Walker injured his right knee at yesterday's FanFest practice, and spent a good chunk of practice with ice on the knee. Coach Harbaugh spoke to the media after practice and said, "We'll wait until we get some further results from the doctors, but I think we'll dodge another bullet there." It sounds like it might have been a moderately scary injury. Depending on the news, it could result in Walker sitting out next Saturday's game against the Texans. This would open the door for more time for Nate Byham, Konrad Reuland and Demarcus Dobbs.
Coach Harbaugh used the dodging a bullet phrase in describing Aldon Smith's injury Friday night. Speaking of Aldon Smith, Coach Harbaugh addressed his hip injury. It sounds like Smith will miss approximately a week, although that could change depending on his recovery. This would seem to virtually guarantee he won't play next Saturday against the Houston Texans. Parys Haralson will get the nod at outside linebacker, which means Eric Bakhtiari and Kourtnei Brown will likely be the primary backups. It will be interesting to see if Aldon Smith sees the field again in an exhibition game this month.