SANTA CLARA -- Coach Jim Harbaugh declined Friday to discuss the precautions the 49ers have taken in the aftermath of nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga being diagnosed with a staph infection.Sopoaga is listed as doubtful and is not expected to play in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has remained away from the 49ers' practice facility while receiving treatment for the infection.
"We don't talk about what we do, protocol-wise," Harbaugh said.
Third-year player Ricky Jean Francois is slated to start in place of Sopoaga.
Cornerback Shawntae Spencer returned to practice Friday on a limited basis, but he remains questionable with a toe injury. Rookie Chris Culliver, who played eight snaps Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles as a sixth defensive back, is expected to see increased play time."There's been improvement since he got here," Harbaugh said of Culliver, a third-round draft pick. "There's a good chance his role will be stepped up this week, as well. Feel good about him getting an opportunity. It's really a mentality around here that the next guy up is here for that reason -- to play ball."49ERS INJURY REPORT
Out: WR Braylon Edwards (right knee), FB Moran Norris (left fibula), Tramaine Brock (left hand).
Doubtful: DT Isaac Sopoaga (infection)
Questionable: CB Shawntae Spencer (toe)
Probable: RB Frank Gore (right ankle), WR Michael Crabtree (left foot), G Mike Iupati (neck), G Adam Snyder (hamstring)Friday practice report
Did not participate: Sopoaga, Edwards, Norris, Brock
Limited participation: Crabtree, Gore, Spencer
Full participation: Iupati, SnyderBUCCANEERS INJURY REPORT
Out: S Devein Holland (back), T James Lee (knee), TE Luke Stocker (knee), WR Sammie Stroughter (foot)
Doubtful: T Zack Diles (hamstring)
Questionable: LB Quincy Black (ankle)
Probable: DE Michael Bennett (groin), DE Tim Crowder (knee), RB Earnest Graham (hamstring), TE Zack Pianalto (calf), CB Aqib Talib (knee)Friday practice report
Did not participate: Black, Diles, Holland. Lee, Stocker, Stroughter
Full participation: Bennett, Crowder, Graham, Pianalto, Talib
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