SANTA CLARA -- Starting cornerback Tarell Brown is questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals after he "bumped" his knee in practice Friday, according to a team spokesman.The 49ers secondary figures to be challenged at Candlestick Park. Longtime nemesis Larry Fitzgerald ranks sixth in the NFL in receiving yards with 792 yards and five touchdowns on 45 catches.Brown's status for the game will be determined Sunday morning. If he is unable to play, rookie Chris Culliver might get his first NFL start. But Culliver said he expects Brown to be on the field.
"Tarell's a strong person," Culliver said. "I don't think he's going to miss (the game). He's strong and competitive. Whatever his injury is, he's going to work through it."Veteran Shawntae Spencer has years of experience success against Fitzgerald, a former teammate at the University of Pittsburgh. But Spencer has been inactive the past two games as the 49ers' No. 5 cornerback behind starters Brown and Carlos Rogers, as well as Culliver and Tramaine Brock.Regardless of whether Culliver starts or enters in nickel situations, he expects the Cardinals to attack him."It's going to be the same thing every week, week-in and week-out," Culliver said. "I'm a rookie and I'm playing, so I feel like anybody and everybody is going to go after me. Why not? I'm just going to keep rising to the occasion and try to make a play."Running back Frank Gore is healthy and will play Sunday, he said. Gore did not carry the ball in the second half of the 49ers' 27-20 win over the New York Giants on Sunday with a right knee injury.For the Cardinals, John Skelton is expected to start at quarterback for Kevin Kolb, who has missed two games with a toe injury. Outside linebacker Joey Porter and safety Kerry Rhodes have officially been ruled out for the game.49ERS INJURY REPORT
Questionable: CB Tarell Brown (knee), RB Frank Gore (knee), DT Ray McDonald (hamstring)
Probable: LB NaVorro Bowman (neck), WR Michael Crabtree (foot), CB Chris Culliver (shoulder), WR Braylon Edwards (knee), CB Shawntae Spencer (toe)CARDINALS INJURY REPORT
Out: OLB Joey Porter (knee), S Kerry Rhodes (foot).
Questionable: CB Michael Adams (hamstring), T Jeremy Bridges (back), TE Todd Heap (hamstring), TE Rob Housler (groin), T Brandon Keith (knee), QB Kevin Kolb (toe), ILB Paris Lenon (groin), FB Anthony Sherman (ankle), RB Beanie Wells (knee).
Probable: LB Stewart Bradley (ribs), RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (shoulder).
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