Linebacker Patrick Willis sat out Wednesday’s practice due to a hip strain. On Thursday, he was held out because of “some kind of bug.” But 49ers coach Mike Singletary said Willis will be available to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
When asked about Willis’ hip condition, Singletary said, “He’s fine.” Singletary said every linebacker is nicked up. He said Takeo Spikes is probably nicked up, but he’s not going to ask him.
INJURY REPORT
49ers: WR Arnaz Battle (foot), S Dashon Goldson (knee), WR Josh Morgan (groin) and Willis (illness) did not practice. CB Tarell Brown (neck strain), RB Michael Robinson (stinger), S Mark Roman (groin) and TE Delanie Walker (shoulder) took part in limited work. T Barry Sims (ankle) had full participation.
Cowboys: WR Miles Austin (knee) and RB Felix Jones (hamstring) did not practice. (Jones is out for the year.) TE Jason Witten (ribs) took part in limited work. QB Tony Romo (pinkie), LB Bobby Carpenter (groin) and WR Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) took part in full practice. WR Terrell Owens has been removed from the injury report after missing Wednesday’s work with an illness.
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Singletary said he is not yet sure whether Chilo Rachal will take over at right guard for Tony Wragge, who started the first 10 games of the seaon.
Yesterday, Singletary divulged that the 49ers were thinking about promoting Rachal to the starting role. Usually, when a coach says something like that, it means the decision had already been made. That, apparently, was not the case.
When I approached Wragge yesterday to ask him for his thoughts on how he’s played this season, he said he did not want to discuss the topic.
“I love my job,” he said. “I’m here to support the team.”
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49ers 2009 schedule
It’s never too early to look ahead to next season. We already know 14 of the 49ers’ 16 games for 2009. The only games we don’t know will be finalized once the standings are settled. The 49ers will play a home game against the team that finishes in the same spot in the NFC South, and they’ll play a road game against the team from the NFC East that finishes in the same spot in the standings.
Of course, the 49ers play home and away games against NFC West teams Arizona, St. Louis and Seattle. The 49ers also play home games against the Bears, Lions, Jaguars and Texans Titans, as well as road games at Green Bay, Minnesota, Houston and Indianapolis.
Home: Arizona, St. Louis, Seattle, Chicago, Detroit, Jacksonville, Tennessee and NFC South.
Road: Arizona, St. Louis, Seattle, Green Bay, Minnesota, Houston, Indianapolis and NFC East.
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