Recovering RB Jacobs: ‘I want to get hit'

SANTA CLARA -- Heading into his debut season with the 49ers, running back Brandon Jacobs missed 11 career games since he broke into the league with the New York Giants in 2005.Brought in this offseason to make sure short yardage situations were converted, Jacobs has yet to be active for any of the 49ers' first four regular season games. But on Tuesday, the eight-year veteran gave every indication that he would be ready to take the ball from Alex Smith when the 49ers face the Bills on Sunday."I'm ready to play," Jacobs said from in front of his locker.Jacobs' return to practice last week in Youngstown, Ohio was limited, but he ran 60-yard dashes at 49ers headquarters in Santa Clara Tuesday, and he didn't hold back."I ran 'em as hard as I can run," Jacobs said. "I feel good. I feel good about my explosion." Jacobs was hit in the knee in an Aug. 18 preseason game against the Houston Texans, and 45 days later, No. 45 is ready for more contact."I want to get hit," Jacobs said. "I definitely want to get out and get hit because once you get out and get that first nice hit, you feel like you're ready to go."The level of play in the NFL is too high to expect contributions without being in top physical shape."It's nothing now," Jacobs said of his hurt knee. "It's all gone now."Jacobs, is itching to get back on the field, especially being part of a new organization."I want to get out there and really be a part of it," Jacobs said.Without much time on the field, Jacobs has made a good impression on the Bay Area through his activity on Twitter, but Jacobs is putting a stop to that for the remainder of the season.Just wanted to say thanks for everyone's support. I will be off of twitter for the remainder of the season. Time to work!! Brandon Jacobs (@gatorboy45) October 2, 2012From here on out, you'll have to with what you see on the field, and he wouldn't have it any other way.Punter Andy Lee is getting it done on the field, but his right hand still hasn't fully recovered.
"Maybe not 100-percent," Lee said, waving his splinted right thumb. "But not enough to stop me from doing my job."
Lee was required for four punts in Sunday's win over the Jets. He averaged 46.0 yards per punt and pinned New York inside their own 20-yard line twice.
"The adrenaline of the game helps out," Lee said.Lee injured his thumb trying to bring down return-man Randall Cobb in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Lee has appeared in all 128 games over his first eight NFL seasons with the 49ers, and he doesn't anticipate missing any this year. But it will be difficult to make a complete recovery in the midst of a season when his job requires him to use that right thumb every weekend to catch firm snaps from Brian Jennings.