Carlos Rogers, Will Tukuafu Likely To Play For 49ers; Percy Harvin May Not Play For Seahawks
By Jerrell Richardson
Although they added a few names to the injury report, the 49ers are hopeful that they will have all hands on deck this Sunday. For weeks, the team’s biggest concern health wise has been the hamstring of Carlos Rogers. San Francisco’s starting cornerback has been held out of practice since suffering his injury in Week 17, so although limited, just being back on the practice field this week is a good sign.
It was made very clear by the coaches that Rogers would need reps in practice before being allowed in a game, so with a full week of practice to test out his hamstring, all signs point to number 22 on the field in some capacity this Sunday. If able to resume his starting duties or to help out on obvious passing downs, the return of Rogers is big. The secondary has played well in his absence and can only get better with a player of his talent thrown back in the mix.
Joining Rogers in limited practice duties this week was fullback Will Tukuafu. His gruesome looking injury suffered last week has turned out to be not nearly as bad as it looked, and he will also be dressed Sunday. Last week after leaving the game, he was contemplating going back in, so it's hard to imagine him not playing after a week to heal up. Like Rogers, in what capacity Tukuafu will be available is unknown, but something is better than nothing in a game of this magnitude.
The two new 49er players this week are Jonathan Goodwin, whose foot injury will not affect his play, and Ahmad Brooks, who is sick. Both of them, along with the rest of the 49ers on this week's injury report, will not see an impact on their play. The team will need to keep an eye on Rogers and Tukuafu, but with a full week on the practice field they should know what they will get from both players. There are a lot of things for the 49ers to consider as they get ready to play Seattle, but the state of their team's health is not one of them.
San Francisco 49ers
Limited In Practice
- Carlos Rogers (Cornerback): Hamstring
- Will Tukuafu (Running Back): Knee
Full Participation In Practice
- Ahmad Brooks (Linebacker): Illness
- Jonathan Goodwin (Center): Foot
- Demarcus Dobbs (Defensive End): Knee, Shoulder
- Justin Smith (Defensive Tackle): Shoulder
- Dan Skuta (Linebacker): Foot
- Frank Gore (Running Back): Knee
- NaVorro Bowman (Linebacker): Wrist
- Michael Crabtree (Wide Receiver): Wrist
Cleared Or Not, Harvin Should Not Play
The only Seattle player who looks like he will miss this game is Percy Harvin. While he is an explosive player and will be someone the 49ers defense and special teams will be worried about if playing, his loss is not going to cripple the Seahawks in any phase. Harvin has been injured this entire year and is not someone who has really contributed to his team’s success. So while his name stands out, he had one catch during the regular season and his production is not something his team will miss.
Harvin will go through the standard concussion tests and could still suit up. The best thing for him though would be to sit this one out. Not only has Seattle done just fine without him, but he is injury prone, coming off a concussion and playing against a 49er team looking to inflict some punishment on their division rival. Whether it be safeties Donte Whitner or Eric Reid putting a hat on him in the passing game or 11 49ers with bad intentions running at him on kick returns, Harvin is going to be directly in the line of fire at all times when on the field. While not playing will make life easier on San Francisco, for his own health, there is no reason for Harvin to play this week.
Seattle Seahawks
Did Not Participate In Practice
- Percy Harvin (Wide Receiver): Concussion
Limited In Practice
- Jordan Hill (Defensive Tackle): Groin
Full Participation In Practice
- K.J. Wright (Linebacker): Foot
For more news and updates about the NFL Playoffs, visit NFL Playoffs Central.
Jerrell Richardson is a Bay Area native who due to a college career at San Diego State University has grown an appreciation for all things sports related in California. His heart will always remain in San Francisco though where he currently resides and covers everything from the San Francisco 49ers and Giants to the San Jose Sharks and California Bears Baseball team. Jerrell is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
