SANTA CLARA – Justin Smith has missed the last two-and-a-half games with a partially torn triceps tendon. Jim Harbaugh was asked if he expects Smith to heal enough during the bye week to play in the playoffs. Here’s what Harbaugh said.
Q: How much will the Bye help Justin Smith?
HARBAUGH: You watch the strength and how that comes back. If he can play, do his job, defend himself and be effective – he’s made progress each week, significant progress, so hopeful. That would be my thought.
Q: Will it be his call if he feels like he’s ready?
HARBAUGH: Yeah. Nobody knows their body like the player himself, but also the doctors.
Q: Do you think he’ll probably feel like he’s ready?
HARBAUGH: I’m hopeful.
Q: How did Ricky Jean Francois do in place of Justin Smith against the Cardinals?
HARBAUGH: He did a good job. He’s done a nice job filling in. He’s always been a solid player. Ray (McDonald) had a good game as well.
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It would be great to see ‘The Cowboy’ back on the field for the first playoff game, but also a huge difference maker to the defense….I would suspect that opposing OC’s would wanna test that elbow and run at him a time or two to see if he’s lost anything. One thing’s for certain after the last couple of games, JS’ younger brother would really benefit from the older brother being on the field….if he’s strong enough, he’ll go…..hopefully, he won’t injure it any further.
I want Justin Smith back – but other teams lose studs and still win – no excuses for lack of depth going into the playoffs – none at all! There was time to bolster the DL weeks ago – and the answer was taking Jerod-Eddie off the PS last game? Bad roster decision making – which is as big as X’s and O’s in the NFL. Harbaugh and Baalke still haven’t learned that.