San Francisco 49ers

Two days ago the San Francisco 49ers lost special teams standout LB Blake Costanzo to the Chicago Bears but his replacement is already on board. FB Rock Cartwright moves across the Bay from the Oakland Raiders to sign a one-year deal with the Niners. The 32-year old can be used as short-yardage running back as well as kick returner and on the special teams coverage unit. In two seasons with the Raiders Cartwright had 27 special teams tackles and returned nine kick-offs for 118 yards. He also rushed for 67 yards on 13 carries and caught five passes for 34 yards.

A while ago the 49ers allowed CB Shawntae Spencer to seek a trade. The trade never materialized so San Francisco released the 30-year old. The recent acquisition of CB Perrish Cox and the re-signing of CB Carlos Rogers made it unnecessary to keep Spencer on the roster. A second-round pick in 2004 Spencer had an injury-filled season in 2011 and appeared in only nine games. He recorded five tackles and one pass defensed.

Arizona Cardinals

On Monday the Arizona Cardinals released LT Levi Brown to avoid a salary cap hit of $17m. Three days later the Cardinals resigned the 27-year old to a five-year contract, though the terms of the deal were not disclosed. Brown may have underachieved during his five years with the organization but his age and durability could be reasons why the Cardinals brought him back. The left tackle hasn't missed a game since the 2008 season.

The San Francisco 49ers released their final injury report for the last game of the regular season at the St. Louis Rams. Compared to last week a few more names have been added to the list:

TE Delanie Walker (jaw) has been ruled out for the season finale. In a week we should know whether he could be available in the playoffs or if his season is over. TE Justin Peele will replace him as the number two tight end.

WR Kyle Williams sustained a concussion in last week’s game at the Seattle Seahawks and is listed as questionable. He is likely going to sit out the game at the St. Louis Rams. WR Brett Swain is expected to replace him and to start alongside WR Michael Crabtree.

WR Ted Ginn Jr. did not practice all week and is likely going to miss his second consecutive game with an ankle injury. With Kyle Williams questionable as well, S Reggie Smith is expected to return punts and RB Kendall Hunter will be responsible for returning kick-offs.

CB Chris Culliver is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury but is expected to play. CB Tramaine Brock and CB Shawntae Spencer would see more playing time if Culliver couldn’t go.

This is the third consecutive week where FB Bruce Miller is listed as questionable due to a knee injury. He played on both occasions and is expected to start tomorrow as well.

CB Carlos Rogers is suffering from a knee injury and his status for Sunday is questionable. He is not expected to miss the game and will likely start.

RILB Patrick Willis missed the last three games with a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio mentioned earlier this week that Willis would play if he felt up to it. LB Larry Grant replaced Willis superbly during his absence but Willis should see a few snaps to shed off some rust before the playoffs.

St. Louis’ QB Sam Bradford (ankle) and QB A.J. Feeley (thumb) did not practice all week and are doubtful for the game against the 49ers. QB Kellen Clemens is slated for a third consecutive start. DE Chris Long is listed as questionable with an ankle injury but has yet to miss a game this season. The same injury did not keep him out of the game four weeks ago and he ended up sacking QB Alex Smith twice. LB Brady Poppinga (illness) and CB Josh Gordy (abdomen) are listed as probable and expected to play.

The 49ers released their final injury report for the second game against the Arizona Cardinals this season. There are only four players on it but each of them is listed as questionable.

RILB Patrick Willis suffered a hamstring injury in last week’s game against the St. Louis Rams and did not practice this week. It is very likely that he will miss the game on Sunday and Larry Grant will get another opportunity to show that he is more than just a special teams player.

CB Carlos Rogers didn’t practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury but was a limited participant in practice on Thursday and Friday. He is not expected to miss the game but his injury is a huge blow to the secondary, which has to face WR Larry Fitzgerald.

CB Tarell Brown is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. It’s unlikely that he will miss the game but he and Chris Culliver could take turns covering WR Early Doucet. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Chris Culliver even got the start.

WR Braylon Edwards’ status is still unchanged but unlike last week he is expected to suit up for the game. With a banged-up secondary the Niners will likely activate CB Shawntae Spencer, which would place WR Brett Swain among the inactives again. Braylon Edwards may not start but he could see limited action.

The Arizona Cardinals listed S Kerry Rhodes (foot), TE Todd Heap (hamstring) and LB Joey Porter (knee) as questionable. Rhodes will likely miss his eighth consecutive game this season. Todd Heap is expected to be sidelined and has been a non-factor even when he was active this season. Joey Porter could return to action for the first time in seven weeks, though he lost his starting job to Sam Acho. RB Beanie Wells (knee, hamstring) and P Dave Zastudil (biceps) are listed as probable and ready to go.

The San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals match up for an NFC West showdown in week 11, San Francisco’s second divisional game of the season. The 49ers beat the New York Giants 27-20 last Sunday, while the Arizona Cardinals upset the Philadelphia Eagles 21-17 in a week when the NFC West had a perfect 4-0 record. This is the 40^th time that both teams meet in the regular season. The Niners lead the series 23-16 and won the last four meetings. The last game between the two sides took place on 2 January 2011, when the 49ers beat the Cardinals 38-7 at home.

There are some injury concerns surrounding RB Frank Gore (knee) and CB Tarell Brown (knee). Gore was suffering from an ankle injury and sustained a knee injury in last week’s game against the New York Giants, which caused him to miss most of the second half. He wants to play, and he wants to compile yards to pass Joe Perry as the franchise rushing leader, but the sensible thing is to rest him as much as possible, especially with another game due on Thanksgiving Day. Frank Gore will start but RB Kendall Hunter should see a similar amount of carries. There is still no word on Tarell Brown’s availability, as he is listed as questionable with a knee injury. CB Chris Culliver will likely start if Brown can’t go. I would expect a three-man rotation, including CB Shawntae Spencer, if Tarell Brown is available. LE Ray McDonald is still listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury but this is not going to jeopardize his start.

The Arizona Cardinals will be without OLB Joey Porter (knee) and FS Kerry Rhodes (foot). TE Todd Heap (hamstring) and QB Kevin Kolb (toe) are listed as questionable but are highly unlikely to play. RB Beanie Wells (knee), T Brandon Keith (knee) and ILB Paris Lenon (groin) are also listed as questionable but are expected to play.

The Cardinals entered the season with high expectations, only to see their dreams crushed after losing six of their first seven games. Interestingly enough, the Cardinals won their last two games with backup QB John Skelton behind center. His and Arizona’s success depends on how well he clicks with WR Larry Fitzgerald and frankly, who says there is no permanent starting job to be won? Apart from some inaccuracies John Skelton played very well in Kevin Kolb’s absence. Arizona’s rushing offense is struggling and nagging injuries to Beanie Wells are not helping. Their offensive line is one of the worst in the league and allowed 31 sacks in 9 games. DE Calais Campbell (5), ILB Daryl Washington (3) and OLB Sam Acho (3) are the team leaders in sacks. Rookie CB Patrick Peterson and CB Richard Marshall lead the team with 2 interceptions apiece.

Keys to Success

This is the perfect game where the offense won’t have to rely on a dominant ground game.

Involve TE Vernon Davis in the passing offense.

Penetrate the opposing offensive line.

Put Aldon Smith on John Skelton.

Focus on Larry Fitzgerald. Double cover him if necessary to shut down the pass offense.

Don’t let Patrick Peterson get away on punt returns.

Probable Starters

Offense: QB Alex Smith, RB Frank Gore, FB Bruce Miller, 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, DT 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 Chris Culliver.

Prediction

San Francisco 49ers v Arizona Cardinals 25-17

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.