Injury report: Justin Smith returns for late-game contribution

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ST. LOUIS -- Defensive lineman Justin Smith aggravated a left knee injury Sunday, and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh thought his day was over.But when the 49ers needed the defense to step up, Smith stepped out on the field without seeking approval from the team's coaches, Harbaugh said."I thought he was out of the game in the first quarter," Harbaugh said. "He comes back in at the end of the game and takes it over when we had to have them stopped."The 49ers wrapped up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs with their 34-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday. And with a first-round bye, the 49ers will get some much-needed rest before their first playoff game on the weekend of Jan. 14-15.RECAP: 49ers clinch first-round bye with 34-27 win over Rams
The 49ers had to hold off the Rams, who scored 14 points in a 13-second span late in the fourth quarter. Smith went back on the field for a crucial sequence in which the 49ers' defense held.Smith is not the only Pro Bowl-bound 49ers player who saw limited playing time Sunday. Running back Frank Gore carried just seven times for 9 yards. The 49ers managed to win the game without their top back touching the ball for the final 35 minutes of the game."It's big," Gore said. "We get our bodies all fresh as a team."Harbaugh indicated that Gore was held out of action due to an unspecified injury. But Gore said nothing physically prevented him from playing. Gore played in all 16 games for the 49ers this season. He led the team with 1,211 yards on 282 rushing attempts."I'm good. I'm cool," Gore said. "He (Harbaugh) said I was good. We were up."The 49ers should be at full strength for their first playoff game, with the possible exception of tight end Delanie Walker, who sustained a fractured jaw Dec. 24 against the Seattle Seahawks.Wide receiver Kyle Williams sat out Sunday's game with a concussion. He said he will be cleared to play in the playoffs. He said he has been symptom-free for a couple days."It (medical clearance) will definitely happen before we play next," Williams said. "I'll definitely be back for the next game."Wide receiver Ted Ginn (left ankle) missed his second game. He has been running, and is expected to be ready for the 49ers' playoff opener, as well.Fullback Bruce Miller, who has been limited in practice due to a left knee injury, aggravated his injury in the first quarter. He returned to action late in Sunday's game.

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