Davis explains why he made comments

Niners tight end Vernon Davis said he wasn’t trying to “call anybody out” or “put anybody down” on the Chicago Bears’ defense. He said he was just expressing his confidence with his comments Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Davis said, “I think we can destroy their front. The guys up front, I think we can destroy them. I don’t see anything spectacular about their front line.”

Today, Davis explained his comments:

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Here’s what Davis said today . . .

–“I wasn’t trying to stir anything up,” Davis said. “I wasn’t saying it to put anyone down. I have confidence in me and my teammates.”

–Did he say it to create a spark? “I think we need a spark. As a captain. I’m here to help motivate my teammates (to get them) fired up and get ready to play. That’s what it’s about.”

–Is he concerned this will be used by the Bears as bulletin-board material? “There’s no concern. When you’re a winner you want your opponent to come hard. You’re looking for competition.”

–I asked him if the 49ers are, indeed, going to “destroy” the Bears. He said we’d just have to wait to see when the game starts.

–Coach Mike Singletary and Davis spoke about the comments. Davis said Singletary understood. “He wasn’t mad at me,” Davis said. “He knew where I was coming from.”

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Veteran receiver Isaac Bruce, who has averaged about two catches and 24 yards over the past seven games, is not expected to be active for the 49ers’ game Thursday against the Bears. The club reported that Bruce went through limited practice today with an ankle injury. He was listed today on the injury report for the first time this season.

Officially, Bruce is listed as questionable. But look for the 49ers to continue to make the transition to a younger receiving corps with Jason Hill taking over as the No. 3 receiver behind starters Michael Crabtree and Josh Morgan.

Here is the official injury report for tomorrow’s game against the Bears:

49ERS

Out: CB Nate Clements (shoulder), RB Glen Coffee (concussion), DT Demetric Evans (shoulder), T Joe Staley (knee).

Questionable: WR Isaac Bruce (ankle).

Probable: G David Baas (shoulder), CB Tarell Brown (rib), TE Vernon Davis (shoulder), RB Frank Gore (eye lid), WR Jason Hill (ankle), WR Brandon Jones (knee), S Michael Lewis (quadricep), RB Michael Robinson (shoulder), LB Takeo Spikes (shoulder), S Curtis Taylor (shin), TE Delanie Walker (shin, knee)

BEARS

Out: S Kevin Payne (back), LB Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee), RB Garrett Wolfe (back)

Questionable: S Al Afalava (shoulder)

Probable: TE Desmond Clark (neck), DT Tommie Harris (knee), CB Charles Tillman (shoulder)

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