Golden Nuggets: Injury List Going Up On A Tuesday

It's official fellow Faithful. The 49ers defense will not be at full strength for this season. After the good news of Aldon Smith being reinstated, the Niners confirmed that LB Patrick Willis will have season ending surgery on his toe. He injured his toe in St. Louis and had not returned since. We had hoped that this week we would have Aldon reinstated, NaVorro Bowman back practicing, and Willis would be able to play this Sunday. That will not be happening. It seems the Niners can't catch a break. For every returning player, another player goes down.

The loss of Willis does not hurt as much with the good play of Michael Wilhoite and the rookie Chris Borland. I am sure he will be in both players' ears giving them tips and advice on what he sees on the field. The defense has been playing very well and haven't really missed a beat with so many starters out. But the addition of Aldon changes things. If there was one area they needed improvement in, it was pressuring the quarterback. He changes that dynamic. It will be great to see Lynch and Smith rushing Eli Manning. Niner fans are excited to see the duo in action.

It will be interesting to see what happens with NaVorro this week. He is scheduled to have an MRI to see if he is cleared to start practice. Do we see him play at all this season? I don't know, but I'm not sure it is worth it. It may be better to let him heal this season and have a healthy duo of Willis and Bowman next year.

49ers Links

He can't catch a break | Williams Injury Not Long Term (Barrows)

Alfonso Smith Rejoins Team (Barrows)

The day is finally here! Hopefully he is ready to go like he says he is | Aldon Smith Reinstated (Maiocco)

Offense Shows Balance (Maiocco)

Film Don't Lie (Gutierrez)

Aldon Rejoins Teammates (Corkran)

Back To The Practice Field (Barrows)

I'm hoping he's back. With Willis out, he's needed | Bowman Could Possibly Return This Week (Maiocco)

It will be limited based on his conditioning, but he can still have a major effect on the game | Smith's Playing Time For This Week (Branch)

Terrible, terrible news. Get better Pat | Willis Out For Season (Barrows)

Toe Surgery Ends Patrick Willis' Season (Inman)

Ian Williams Out A Few Weeks (Maiocco)

The 2 best LBs sharing some knowledge. The replacements seem to be paying attention | Willis, Bowman Helping Replacements (Corkran)

Hoping this report isn't true | Bowman Still Experiencing Pain (Alper)

Inconsistent Kap (Gin)

Get it fixed and we will see you next season | Problematic Toe For Years (Barrows)

We are ready to see you cause some havoc | Smith: Ready To Go (Inman)

Power Ranking (Gutierrez)

Borland is definitely paying attention to Bowman and Willis. He is playing lights out | Play Of Borland Lessens Willis Blow (Gutierrez)

Surgery Better For Willis' Career (Biderman)

The team has so much talent. They can still make the playoffs | How Injuries Affect Playoff Run (Lynch)

Suspension Requirements Fulfilled (Alper)

Good and bad | Big News Day (49ers Video)

Aldon Speaks (49ers Video)

He was cleared. That's all that matters | McDonald: "Truth Came Out" (Corkran)

Willis Vows To Return Better (Corkran)

McDonald Working On Relationship (Maiocco)

Smith On His Time Away (Maiocco)

Wilhoite On Willis Injury (49ers Video)

It was a clear pass interference. We all know this | Cox On The "Hail Mary" (49ers Video)

Watch out OLs | Aldon Has New Moves (Barrows)

Willis Opts For Surgery (Maiocco)

Damn you turf. Damn you | Blame St. Louis (Purdy)

Perrish Cox Sore Hip After Hail Mary (Inman)

Let's see what you got rookie | It's Borland's Time (Ruthless Sports Guy)

Welcome back Shayne | Skov Resigned (Maiocco)

The players seem to fight for him game in game out. He's outstanding | Fangio The Most Important Person On Defense (Ratto)

2 Rookies Cleared To Practice (Maiocco)

99 Things About Aldon (Price)

49ers Alumni In Military (49ers Staff)

Willis On Toe Injury (Emerick)