49ers injuries: Gore taking a pounding

The 49ers have played 13 games and running back Frank Gore is bruised and battered.Of course he is.It's impossible for Gore to have touched the ball 250 times and not be feeling the physical toll that it takes on his body. He doesn't avoid contact, and he churns for every yard.So a banged-up Gore is like Sir Edmund Hillary with chapped lips. It's to be expected. Here's a look at the wear-and-tear his body has absorbed this season:
Sept. 25 at Bengals: Gore sustained a right ankle sprain late in the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals. Gore gained 32 yards on eight carries before the injury, and had nine carries for 10 yards the rest of the game.Oct. 2 at Eagles: He was listed as going through limited practice the next week in Youngstown, Ohio. Coach Jim Harbaugh said recently that Gore did not practice at all in preparation to face the Philadelphia Eagles. Gore did not start that game, but he came off the sideline to rush for 127 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts.Nov. 6 at Redskins: Gore sustained a left ankle sprain in the second quarter against Washington. He rushed for 65 yards on seven carries in the first half, and 42 yards on 12 attempts in the second half. Afterward, he could barely walk. This time more than any other, I thought Gore would not be able to play the following game.
Through this point in the season, Gore had 159 attempts for 782 yards (4.9 average). After this point, Gore has 75 rushes for 272 yards (3.6 yards).
Nov. 13 vs. N.Y. Giants: Gore started the game, but he left at the end of the first half when he landed hard on his right knee. He sustained a hyperextended knee and bruise. His final stat line: 0 rushing yards on six attempts.Nov. 20 vs. Cardinals: He did not practice Wednesday, and was limited the next two days. Gore was listed as questionable for the game against the Cardinals with the knee injury. He started and rushed for 88 yards on 24 rushing attempts. With the game firmly in hand, Gore sat out the final 18 minutes of the game.Nov. 24 at Baltimore: Gore was limited (knee) in practice for the three days leading up the Thanksgiving game against the Ravens. He was listed as probable. Gore gained 39 yards rushing on 14 carries.Dec. 4 vs. St. Louis: He was limited in each of the three practices in preparation to face the Rams. The injury designation this week changed to "ankle." He gained 73 yards on 21 rushes, including a long of 20 yards.Dec. 11 at Cardinals: Gore entered the game healthy, according to the report the 49ers submitted to the NFL. He took part in full practices. But Gore played 38 of the 49ers' 63 offensive snaps. Harbaugh on Monday described Gore this way: "He's got some things. He's not 100 percent."OTHER INJURY CONCERNS
Linebacker Patrick Willis: He sat out Sunday's game with a right hamstring strain. He was seen on the field going through a light rehab workout with Mark Uyeyama, the 49ers' strength and conditioning coach. The 49ers do not return to practice until Thursday. If Willis is at least limited during practices later in the week, he has a decent chance to be available for the game. More likely than not, Willis will be listed as questionable and his status will not be known for certain until 90 minutes prior to the Monday night kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers.Left tackle Joe Staley: He sustained an apparent concussion on the first play of Sunday's game against the Cardinals and remained on the field for seven more offensive plays. On Monday, he gave the appearance of someone who will be able to return for the Steelers game. Staley, one of the team's more dynamic personalities, was observed entering the equipment room and engaging in loud banter with teammate Alex Boone. Staley must be medically cleared to return to the practice field. So if he takes part in limited work at any point in the week, that means he's been cleared to play against the Steelers.