LB Tavares Gooden (27) and LB Larry Grant (26)

The situation is very similar for both players. They mainly play on special teams and don’t see much playing time apart from this as Patrick Willis’ and NaVorro Bowman’s backups. If they stay they will primarily be used on special teams. Reggie Givens, former 49ers linebacker and special teams captain suggests to re-sign one player, if not both. Larry Grant came up big last week, when he had to stand in for an injured Patrick Willis and recorded a team-leading 6 tackles and 1 sack, and should be in the driver’s seat.    

WR Josh Morgan (26)

The young wideout was just coming into his own, when he sustained a season-ending leg injury in week 5. After week 12 he was still 5^th among San Francisco’s receivers with 15 caught passes, one more than Braylon Edwards, 3^rd in receiving yards with 220, 48 yards more than Braylon Edwards, and 1 touchdown. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said that re-signing Morgan in the offseason is a priority. Considering that he only makes $555,000 in 2011 the 49ers will have to be more generous though.

FB Moran Norris (33)

It is obvious that Norris’ days in San Francisco are numbered. He was a healthy scratch once he returned from a fibula injury and lost the starting job to rookie Bruce Miller. Norris has become expendable and will be gone in the offseason.

TE Justin Peele (32)

Justin Peele is the number-three tight end and plays roughly three to five snaps a game. There is no way to move past Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker on the depth chart. The Niners could look into drafting a blocking tight end, who they could slowly transition into their tight end heavy system.

G Chilo Rachal (25)

Fact is that the offensive line got better after Adam Snyder replaced Rachal as the starting right guard. Fact is that the running game got better after the change. Fact is that QB Alex Smith is safer when Rachal is on the sidelines. Offensive linemen usually need more time to develop than players at other positions and he has yet to show that he belongs in the NFL. It is very possible that the 49ers and Chilo Rachal are going to part ways in the offseason.

CB Carlos Rogers (30)

It is hard to imagine that the 49ers knew what they would actually get when they signed the former Redskin to a one-year contract before the season. He leads the team with a career-high 5 interceptions and can hold his own against the league’s top receivers. The only free agent worth considering is Atlanta’s Brent Grimes but the Falcons will try to re-sign their cornerback. Rogers earned a contract extension and the 49ers should give it to him.

The bowl season starts on Thanksgiving Day this year, as the San Francisco 49ers face the Baltimore Ravens in the unofficial Harbowl. It is the first time that the brothers Jim and John Harbaugh coach against each other. The 49ers secured a winning record last Sunday by defeating the Arizona Cardinals 23-7. The Baltimore Ravens moved into a joint AFC North lead with the idle Pittsburgh Steelers after beating the Cincinnati Bengals 31-24. The Ravens lead the regular season series 2-1 against the Niners and won their last meeting 9-7 in 2007.

FB Bruce Miller is expected to miss the game with a concussion. This is a big blow to the Niners, as his sensationally improved blocking significantly helped the team’s rushing offense as well as passing offense. FB Moran Norris, who was a healthy scratch last week, will replace him. RT Anthony Davis’ (ankle) availability was questionable but he looks ready to go. In the unlikely event of him missing some action T Alex Boone would likely see increased playing time. WR Michael Crabtree (foot), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and RB Frank Gore (knee) were limited participants in training and are listed a probable.

The Baltimore Ravens ruled out DT Arthur Jones with a head injury. ILB Ray Lewis is listed as questionable with a foot injury and will be a game-time decision. Baltimore’s defense played well without Lewis last week, though they gave up over 400 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Ravens are no longer just a defensive-minded team with a powerful running game that established them as an NFL powerhouse and won them a Super Bowl in 2001. In fact, the Ravens pass on 60.7% of their plays. QB Joe Flacco completes 55.6% of his passes for a QB rating of 77.6. His favorite targets are HB Ray Rice (2 touchdowns), WR Anquan Boldin (3) and rookie WR Torrey Smith (5), who each have over 500 receiving yards. Rice averages 4.2 yards per carry and has rushed for 8 touchdowns this season. At 36 Ray Lewis is still the heart and soul of Baltimore’s defense and leads the team with 49 solo tackles. OLB Terrell Suggs (6 sacks), OLB Paul Kruger (5) and DE Pernell McPhee (4) will put the most pressure on opposing quarterbacks. CB Lardarius Webb and FS Ed Reed have a team leading 3 interceptions each.

Keys to Success

Get rid of the ball fast. Baltimore’s pass rush and blitzes won’t give QB Alex Smith much time to pass.

Establish the run to open up a passing offense.

Win the battle in the trenches. Use two tight end sets and the hammer formation often.

Don’t let the different looks and formations of Baltimore’s defense confuse you. Stick to the game plan.  

Stop the run.

Keep a close eye on Anquan Boldon and Torrey Smith. Don’t give them any space.

Special teams has to provide good field positions to start a drive against this defense.

Probable Starters

Offense: QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, FB Moran Norris, WR Braylon Edwards, WR Michael Crabtree, TE Vernon Davis, LT Joe Staley, LG Mike Iupati, C Jonathan Goodwin, RG Adam Snyder, RT Anthony Davis.

Defense: LE Ray McDonald, NT Isaac Sopoaga, RE Justin Smith, LOLB Ahmad Brooks, LILB NaVorro Bowman, RILB Patrick Willis, ROLB Parys Haralson, LCB Carlos Rogers, SS Donte Whitner, FS Dashon Goldson, RCB Tarell Brown.

Prediction

San Francisco 49ers @ Baltimore Ravens 21-19

The San Francisco 49ers released the final injury report for their game against their division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals. The list is much shorter than last week and FB Moran Norris is not on it for the first time since week 3. On Sunday we will get some clarification on who head coach Jim Harbaugh considers to be the starting fullback from here on out.

RB Frank Gore suffered a knee injury in last week’s game against the New York Giants and missed most of the second half. He did not practice on Wednesday but was a limited participant on Thursday and Friday. His status for Sunday is questionable. Considering that the Niners have to play two games in five days, it is likely that Gore and RB Kendall Hunter will share the workload more than usual against the Cardinals.

LE Ray McDonald (hamstring) is still listed as questionable but he started last week against the New York Giants after missing a game in week 9. There is no doubt that he will play and start against Arizona.

CB Tarell Brown (knee) was added to the injury report on Friday and is listed as questionable. His availability is anyone’s guess at this point and may cause problems for San Francisco’s secondary, as CB Chris Culliver and CB Shawntae Spencer aren’t 100% healthy either. It will be interesting to see who Jim Harbaugh chooses to start if Brown can’t play. My guess is rookie Chris Culliver, which would confirm that Spencer is a long way off of becoming a starter for the 49ers.

WR Michael Crabtree (foot), Chris Culliver (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and LILB NaVorro Bowman (neck) were limited participants in practice throughout the week and are listed as probable. The same applies to Shawntae Spencer (toe) who was a full participant in practice.

The Arizona Cardinals ruled out OLB Joey Porter (knee) and FS Kerry Rhodes (foot) for the game. TE Todd Heap (hamstring), HB Beanie Wells (knee), T Brandon Keith (knee) QB Kevin Kolb (toe) and ILB Paris Lenon (groin) are all listed as questionable. KR LaRod Stephens-Howling (shoulder) is probable for the game.

The San Francisco 49ers released the final injury report for their clash with the New York Giants and the list just keeps growing.

LE Ray McDonald was a limited participant in practice throughout the week but his status remains questionable due to a hamstring injury. He sat out last week’s game against the Washington Redskins. DT Ricky Jean Francois replaced him and had a solid, yet unspectacular game. It is likely that Francois gets another start against the New York Giants but McDonald should be able to play on some downs as well.

FB Moran Norris’ (fibula) status remains questionable and it is safe to say that FB Bruce Miller will continue to start in San Francisco’s offensive backfield alongside RB Frank Gore.

WR Michael Crabtree (foot), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (knee), RB Frank Gore (ankle) and LILB NaVorro Bowman were limited participants in practice all week and their status is probable for Sunday.

The same applies to CB Shawntae Spencer (toe), FS Dashon Goldson (knee), RB Kendall Hunter (ankle), TE Delanie Walker (knee) and SS Donte Whitner (thigh), who were full participants in practice.

The New York Giants will be without RB Ahmad Bradshaw again, who suffers from a foot injury. RB Brandon Jacobs is expected to start. WR Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) started practicing on Thursday and is listed as questionable. He missed last week’s game against the New England Patriots but could see some action on Sunday. C David Baas missed last week’s game with a knee injury but is expected to start against his former team despite being listed as questionable. DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) and FB Henry Hynoski (neck) are listed as probable and ready to play.

The 49ers are heading east and released their final injury report for their week 9 encounter with the Washington Redskins.

No Niners player has been ruled out for the game but LE Ray McDonald’s status is doubtful due to a hamstring injury. The defensive lineman did not practice all week. McDonald has 10 tackles and 3 sacks in 7 starts this season. In his absence DE Demarcus Dobbs and DT Ricky Jean Francois would likely see an increased amount of snaps.

FB Moran Norris’ (fibula) status has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable but FB Bruce Miller will likely get another start. RB Frank Gore is rushing for 113.8 yards per game and scored 4 touchdowns since Miller became his lead blocker in week 3.

WR Michael Crabtree (foot), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (knee) and FS Dashon Goldson (knee) were limited participants in practice all week and are listed as probable. The same applies to CB Tramaine Brock (hand) and CB Shawntae Spencer (toe) who were full participants in practice.

The Washington Redskins will be without WR Santana Moss (hand) and newly acquired RB Tashard Choice (hamstring). TE Fred Davis (ankle), LT Trent Williams (ankle) and FS Oshiomogho Atogwe (toe, knee) are listed as questionable. ILB London Fletcher (hamstring) and ILB Rocky McIntosh (ankle) are listed as probable.

The bye week is over and it’s back to business for the San Francisco 49ers. The team released their final injury report for the game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

FB Moran Norris’ (fibula) as well as CB Tramaine Brock’s (hand) status has been upgraded to doubtful. I don’t expect either of them to play, though the 49ers only have two healthy cornerbacks available.

In Norris’ absence RB Frank Gore rushed for 108.8 yards per game, 6.5 yards per carry and scored 3 touchdowns. The 49ers are in no rush to bring back Norris before he is completely healthy and frankly, FB Bruce Miller earned his spot on top of the depth chart.

WR Braylon Edward’s (knee) status for the game is questionable. The Browns have the best pass defense in the league, allowing just 171.5 yards per game, and the 49ers need a big-play receiver against this secondary. The Browns are the team that drafted Braylon Edwards in the first round of the 2005 draft. I expect Edwards to play but not to start. Head coach Jim Harbaugh will likely ease him back into the lineup.

WR Michael Crabtree (foot), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder) and C Jonathan Goodwin (concussion) were limited participants in practice throughout the week and are listed as probable. The same applies to CB Shawntae Spencer (toe), ROLB Parys Haralson (hamstring) and RG Adam Snyder who were full participants in practice all week.

The Cleveland Browns ruled out WR Mohamed Massaquoi (head). The receiver has 18 catches for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns in 6 games. TE Benjamin Watson’s status is questionable due to a head injury but he should see some action. Watson has 20 receptions for 213 yards and 2 touchdowns. It appears likely that the Browns will be without RB Peyton Hillis (hamstring). Hillis played in 4 games this season, rushing for 211 yards on 60 carries and 2 touchdowns. RB Montario Hardesty would start in his place. Also questionable are CB Joe Haden (knee), G Shawn Lauvao (knee) and T Tony Pashos (ankle).