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Receiver Isaac Bruce will be in uniform for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. But Bruce has not practiced since before the 49ers' Nov. 22 game at Green Bay. Bruce did not get any practice time this week.

 

Singletary said Bruce will go out for the coin toss "as an honorary captain" and not play at all . . . or he'll be on the field for the first play . . . or he'll be on the field for the first series. Either way, the fans who show up at St. Louis' Edward Jones Dome will get an opportunity to cheer him.

Rookie running back Glen Coffee will not play Sunday with a hamstring strain he sustained in the first half of last week's game against the Eagles. Michael Robinson will see some action as the primary backup to starter Frank Gore.

Gore is 58 yards shy of becoming the first player in 49ers history with four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Last year, he became the first player in team history to rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

"That would be nice," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said today. "I'm sure Frank would like that as well, but we will figure that out later. The most important thing is that we get out there and play well enough to win the game. Let's just play our game and finish strong."

There were few changes on the 49ers' injury report today. Running back Michael Robinson went from limited practice to full practice. Almost everything else remained the same.

 

Left tackle Joe Staley is not officially "out," but he will not play this week. Likewise, Isaac Bruce will not suit up for the game. Kentwan Balmer, Michael Lewis and Takeo Spikes are day-to-day with their injuries.

Niners offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye speaks with the media every Thursday. Today, he let it be known exactly where he stands as it pertains to the question about the 49ers' quarterback of the future.

 

Raye has been very impressed with Alex Smith's play in the 4 ½ games in which he has been the starter. "The quarterback play has been very good and at times it has even titled toward being outstanding," Raye said.

Linebacker Takeo Spikes was the only 49ers player who did not practice today due to health concerns. He sustained a hamstring strain last week against the Bears and looks questionable for Sunday's game.

 

Rookie Scott McKillop immediately entered the game to replace Spikes late in the first half. But veteran Matt Wilhelm took his place at the start of the second half. Wilhelm signed with the 49ers on Oct. 19 when the club placed veteran Jeff Ulbrich on injured reserve.

The 49ers received bad new today as left tackle Joe Staley and cornerback Nate Clements are expected to miss six weeks.

Running back Frank Gore, who missed the past two games with a bum right ankle, went through a full practice today, as the 49ers began preparations to face the Houston Texans on Sunday. Gore had his right ankle taped as he went out to the practice field.

 

There's a lot of news today around the 49ers, beginning with the team's decision to place linebacker Jeff Ulbrich on injured reserve because of his concussion problems.

 

Ulbrich, a popular player in the locker room who maximized his potential throughout his 10-year career, will remain with the club through the end of the season. He is ineligible to play for the remainder of the season, and this likely spells the end of Ulbrich's NFL career.

 

Ulbrich accepted a pay reduction from $2.23 million to $950,000 this season to return to play the final year of his contract on special teams. He sustained a severe concussion while covering a kickoff against the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 4

Running back Frank Gore expects to be available when the 49ers return to action Oct. 25 against the Texans. He took part today in individual and group work, and then sat out the 11-on-11 work during today's practice.

Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons fter sustaining a concussion three days ago against the Rams. Ulbrich did not practice today.

Running back Frank Gore did not take part in a full practice this week due to an ankle sprain, but he will suit up and play Sunday against the Vikings, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said.

 

Gore is listed as probable for the game. He has said he is fine, and he does not walk or run with any noticeable discomfort.

Clayton's injury is season-ender

 

The 49ers designated RB Thomas Clayton waived/injured today. Clayton, who sustained a torn right ACL in Friday's game, is out for the season.

Veteran cornerback Walt Harris is likely to miss the 2009 season after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee yesterday. The injury will require surgery, the team said.

 

Running back Frank Gore went through a limited practice and is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Redskins. Gore looked good today while running and making cuts.

The 49ers continue to call it a game-time decision, but running back Frank Gore has gone two full weeks without practicing due to a left ankle sprain.

Receiver Arnaz Battle will miss his fifth game in six weeks on Sunday in Miami due to an aggravation his mid-foot sprain. Meanwhile, running back Frank Gore is questionable with his left ankle sprain.

Coach Mike Singletary gives a status report on some of his injured players following Thursday's practice.

Running back Frank Gore still holds out hope that he can play Sunday when the 49ers go to his hometown of Miami to face the Dolphins.

Coach Mike Singletary met with the media this morning to discuss several topics of interest with the 49ers set to play the Dolphins on Sunday.

Cornerback Nate Clements did not practice today - heck, he did not practice all week - after undergoing surgery to insert one pin and two screws into his broken right thumb.