49ers vs. Cardinals: Mike Singletary Day After Press-Conference - Frank Gore Placed on IR

Mike Singletary had an interesting exchange today with some of the media (transcript after the jump).  They discussed whether his opinion matters on the possible 18-game schedule and discussed crying.  You don't usually here crying discussed when talking football but what do I know.

The big news out of today is the Frank Gore has a fractured right hip and was placed on injured reserve along with receiver Dominique Zeigler after he suffered a torn left ACL last night.  Obviously, the Frank Gore injury hurts the most as definitely causes the 49ers to change their "run all the time" game plan.  Brian Westbrook and rookie Anthony Dixon will take over as the primary backs with Westbrook getting most of the load.  The 49ers are concerned about his concussion problems in the past so it defintely will not be a one-back system any longer. 

To fill the roster up after making those moves they elevated running back DeShawn Wynn to the active roster along with safety Chris Maragos.  They also released kicker Shane Andrus as Joe Nedney is supposed to be ready to play this weekend.  Finally, they released tackle Xavier Fulton from the practice squad as well.

David Lee Release from Stanford Hospital; Still Out a Few Weeks

A week after knocking out a couple of Wilson Chandler's teeth, David Lee finally was released from the hospital.  On Thursday, Lee left Stanford Medical Center after having two operations.  Lee was released to go home with some IVs and antibiotics and is set to be re-examined on Tuesday of next week.

Even if everything goes okay David Lee will be out for at least 2-3 weeks as to make sure that the infection does not reappear.

Rams-49ers: The Aftermath - Joe's Knows Injuries

The San Francisco 49ers managed to beat the St. Louis Rams 23-20 yesterday in an overtime win but it did not come without consequences.  Both offensive lineman Joe Staley and kicker Joe Nedney were injured during the game.

Staley fractured his fibula and is likely out for about 4-6 weeks.  That could be the end of his season depending on how long it takes to heal.  This is almost the same injury that center Eric Heitmann suffered in the beginning of the season.  In his Monday media session, Mike Singletary stated that they would not put Staley on the IR like they did to Heitmann in the hopes that he can be back if the 49ers make it to the postseason.

On how long Staley will miss:
"Right now, from all of the information that we have with the injury that he has right now, the average guy would be four to six weeks. Some guys heal faster than others, so we'll see how it goes."

On whether T Joe Staley will be put on IR:
"No."

On whether the choice to not put Staley on the IR is to keep options open for the postseason:
"Yes."

The good news is the prognosis is not as bad for Joe Nedney.  He is only expected to miss next week's game after it was revealed that he has a right knee strain and a bruise. 

The 49ers will need to sign another kicker as a replacement for Nedney.  They started that process today by releasing wide receiver Jason Hill.  We should expect to get news about a signing tomorrow.

Stephen Curry Out for Sunday's Game Against Los Angeles Lakers

Warriors point guard Stephen Curry did not travel with team to Los Angeles for tomorrow's game against the Lakers.  Curry injured his ankle for the third straight game after injuring it in the third quarter of the game against the Clippers.  The injury happened when he tried to get around a screen of Blake Griffin and stepped on Griffin's foot.  Curry immediately went to the ground and began holding his ankle.

The orginal prognosis was a sprained ankle but Curry and the team has decided for him not to play against the Lakers and with the Warriors next game not until Wednesday hopefully Curry can heal by then.

Head coach, Keith Smart said that Reggie Williams will start in place of Stephen Curry.

Seahawks-Raiders: Louis Murphy has Bruised Lung

According to ProFootballTalk, Louis Murphy will be out for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.  The Oakland Raiders receiver left the 59-14 rout of the Denver Broncos after colliding with fullback Marcel Reece while going for a catch along the sideline.

ProFootballTalk did not list an official source so we likely won't have an official word until the Raiders release their injury report.

49ers-Panthers: Alex Smith Injures Shoulder

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith left the field in the first offensive series in the second half.  The injury came on a sack by Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Charles Johnson.  Johnson beat rookie offensive lineman Anthony Davis and got a free hit on Smith who never saw Johnson coming. 

Smith walked off the field with the 49ers trainers to go get x-rays which showed nothing serious but he did not return to the field.  Preliminary reports is that it is a sprained left shoulder.  David Carr came in for Alex Smith and remained in for the rest of the game.  He threw for 67 yards and one interception during that time.

No word yet on how long Smith will be out or if he will be able to play next week.  Right now the 49ers are on their way to London for next week's game against the Denver Broncos.  Smith did say that he will have an MRI in London this week.

NFL Safety Video Released

In light of the recent injury issues in the NFL, the NFL has released a safety video that is being shown to 32 NFL teams.  The idea behind the video is to show how and how not to legally hit a player under the new rule.

After watching the 4 minute video and seeing the examples it amazes me how many players do not properly know how to tackle.  Most players, for some reason, lower their heads and use their helmets as a weapon.  James Harrison, who has complained about these recent rules, did it twice in the video.  Apparenlty, he doesn't realize that when you tackle like that you could have permanent neck damage and possibly break it as you put a lot of pressure on your spine and neck.  But that's okay, because he is just out to hurt people.

Samuel Dalembert out four to six weeks

The Sacramento Kings rookie center, DeMarcus Cousins, could get more playing time in the beginning of the regular season than originally expected.  All indications out of Sacramento is that free agent acquisition Samuel Dalembert will be out the first couple of weeks of the regular season with a strained left groin muscle.

Dalembert had an MRI done earlier this week and the team annouced he will likely be out four to six weeks.

Michael Vick will not start against the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers chances of getting their first win just got easier.  According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Michael Vick will not be playing Sunday night due to a rib cartilage injury.

Vick was hurt in Sunday's game on a quarterback sneak towards the end-zone.  He was tackled just short and was immediately removed from the game.  There was some speculation that it was not as serious as it looked but the story is that at this point he has trouble breathing without feeling pain.

Kevin Kolb is expected to make the start which will be easier for the 49ers defense.  Kolb has been very unimpressive when he has played quarterback and unless Alex Smith blows it for the 49ers I would expect them to get their first win.

Torres out 10-14 days

Going into Sunday’s game the Giants were ready to take three out of four from the Padres and leave San Diego in a tie with the Padres for the NL West division lead. What they didn’t plan was to find out that their leadoff hitter and possible Gold Glove recipient, Andres Torres would be put on the DL and out possibly for the rest of the regular season.


Torres had to have emergency appendectomy surgery on Sunday and will miss at least 10 days.


This leaves a huge whole for the Giants. Torres was their leadoff hitter and only speed guy on a team of slow aging veterans. The only other option they have to use as a leadoff hitter, besides Aaron Rowand, is speedster Darren Ford but he was not brought up to do anything but serve as a pinch runner.


Torres also allowed manager Bruce Bochy to play both Jose Guillen in right field and Pat Burrell in left field as he could cover some serious ground.


Rowand does not give that same opportunity.


So far Bruce Bochy hasn’t decided what he is going to do to replace Torres’ offense and defense but their options at outfielder definitely do not offer what they had in Torres. Bochy could go with Cody Ross who is a very good defensive outfielder that could play all three positions but his hitting has not been impressive. Another option is September callup Darren Ford but it is likely that Bochy does not trust him. Aaron Rowand is another option but his numbers have been awful since he was hit in the head by Dodger pitcher Vincente Padilla and is not an improvement over Ford or Ross so it’s hard to see how he becomes the starter.

Michael Bush breaks thumb, Campbell injury less serious

The good news for Raider fans is that the Jason Campbell injury does not appear to be serious.  He left the game after being hit by 49ers linebacker Travis LaBoy.  By all accounts the injury was just a stinger and he should be available for the season opener.

Somehow, I doubt he plays next week in the final preseason game.

Michael Bush's injury however is much more serious.  Bush fractured his thumb and his status is not yet known.  He is supposed to meet with a hand specialist today and we should know more then.

Injuries plaguing the 49ers, Davis & Iupati named starters for now

The start of the NFL season is soon approaching with the first pre-season game this weekend. The 49ers have already had some pretty devastating injuries in training camp that could have a huge impact on how they start the season.

First and foremost they lost their starting center, Eric Heitmann, for six to eight weeks with a broken leg. David Baas, another lineman, got a concussion during the Nutcracker drills but appears to be back and is the 49ers best option at center while Heitmann is out.

Ahmad Brooks, the up and coming rushing linebacker, for the 49ers whom had very high expectations of is also injured. His injury, a lacerated kidney, will likely not keep him out as long as Heitmann but like Heitmann he could miss the start of the season.

David Lee gets “Cohaned”

It it wasn’t for bad luck the Warriors wouldn’t have any luck at all.

David Lee, is the latest Warrior to get Cohaned.  Even though, Cohan has sold the team his curse still lives on.  Hopefully, once he sells he can take his curse with him.

Yesterday, in a practice for Team USA, new forward David Lee dislocated his middle finger.  He immediately flew back to the Bay Area on Tuesday to have it examined by Dr. Bill Green.

It is believed to not be too serious and he should be able to rejoin the U.S. team in Las Vegas.