Pregame notes leading up until kickoff:
• ILBs Patrick Willis and Takeo Spikes, who were questionable with hand injuries, will play tonight. CSN Bay Area has reported that both Willis and Spikes have broken hands.
UPDATE: A Niners spokesperson has confirmed that Willis had surgery Monday and had a pin inserted. Spikes did not have surgery.
• 49ers inactives: David Carr (3rd QB), K Joe Nedney, CB Tramaine Brock, CB Will James, S Chris Maragos, LB Thaddeus Gibson, T Joe Staley, T Alex Boone.
James will miss his fifth straight game due to a concussion he suffered on Nov. 14.
• Chargers TE Antonio Gates (toe, foot) and WR Malcom Floyd (hamstring)
won’t play tonight. Gates and Floyd have combined for 85 catches for
1,442 yards and 16 of San Diego’s 26 TD receptions.
Gates and Floyd both missed the Chargers’ 29-23 home win on Nov. 7 over
Houston, owners of the NFL’s worst pass defense. QB Philip Rivers
completed 17 of 23 passes for 295 yards with four touchdowns and one
interception.
WR Vincent Jackson (2 catches), who has played in just two games due to a contract holdout and calf injury, will play tonight.
• Chargers inactives: Gates, Floyd, WR Patrick Crayton, S Darrell Stuckey, S Tyrone Carter, LB Larry English, G Louis Vasquez, DE/DT Travis Johnson.
• Legedu Naanee (15 catches, 233 yards, TD) is expected to start in place of Floyd and TE Randy McMichael (11, 131, 2) will start in place of Gates.
• The San Diego Union-Tribune scribes and Cam Inman like the Chargers tonight:
* Nick Canepa, UT columnist: San Francisco’s only chance here is if
Qualcomm Stadium roof collapses during a snowstorm and the game is moved
to Detroit. Chargers 31, 49ers 14.
* Tim Sullivan, UT columnist: In the anticipated absence of Antonio
gates, the Chargers can take comfort in reassuring presence of Philip
Rivers. Chargers 31, 49ers 17.
* Kevin Acee, Chargers writer: Chargers can only blame themselves for
most of their losses. It’s simple. San Francisco will not win without
help. Chargers 27, 49ers 17.
* Cam Inman, Bay Area News Group: The Raiders beat the Chargers twice,
and the 49ers beat the Raiders, but don’t connect those West Coast dots …
Chargers 31, 49ers 17.
Comments are closed.