Posted at 5:07 p.m., Monday, November 5, 2007
NFL: 49ers put LT Jennings on IR; RG might join him
By Greg Beacham
Associated Press
Losing two starters will test the depth of the 49ers' once-solid offensive line, which has struggled to mount a significant rushing attack with running back Frank Gore this season. Gore sat out yesterday's 20-16 loss to Atlanta with a sprained ankle, but is expected to return for San Francisco's trip to Seattle on Monday night.
Jennings has a lingering ankle injury that requires surgery, coach Mike Nolan said while announcing the end of another disappointing season for his oft-injured lineman. Jennings missed the 49ers' last two games after spraining his ankle in a loss to the New York Giants.
Smiley, a fourth-year pro who has started every game in the 49ers' last 2 /2 seasons, dislocated his right shoulder and tore his labrum when Atlanta's Trey Lewis landed squarely on his arm as Smiley dived to recover a fumble.
An MRI revealed a torn labrum that will be inspected by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., tomorrow before Smiley decides to have season-ending surgery.
"If (Andrews) thinks it's the thing to do, we'll go ahead and knock it out," Smiley said. "It needs to be done."
Nolan said team doctors recommended shutting down Jennings, who has struggled with injuries almost every week since Nolan gave him a seven-year, $36 million contract as a free agent from Buffalo in 2005.
Jennings missed 13 games with a shoulder injury that season, then sat out three games with injuries last season. The seventh-year pro also was given a one-week leave of absence last month to tend to what Nolan called "a personal matter," though the Atlanta native stayed in the Bay Area and wouldn't give details of the issue.
Adam Snyder has replaced Jennings again at left tackle. The third-year pro started 10 games in Jennings' place over the previous two seasons, then stepped in again last month.
"It's unfortunate to lose any player on our team, but at the same time, I have confidence in Adam," Nolan said.
Snyder gave up a sack and struggled to block Falcons defensive end John Abraham in San Francisco's 20-16 loss to Atlanta on Sunday.
David Baas, the 33rd overall pick in the 2005 draft, will replace Smiley. Baas has played extensively as a backup in his first 2 1/2 years with the 49ers.
