When the 49ers last played a game on Oct. 19, they came off the field a beaten bunch, both on the scoreboard and physically.
The Broncos bashed the 49ers 42-17 that night, as Peyton Manning picked apart an injury-depleted San Francisco defense.
But what a difference a bye week can make.
As the 4-3 49ers prepare to host the 2-5 St. Louis Rams Sunday at Levi’s Stadium, many of the 49ers who couldn’t play in the Denver game – or were injured during the wipeout loss – are healthy and ready to play.
Inside linebacker Patrick Willis, rookie safety/nickel corner Jimmie Ward and cornerback Chris Culliver – who all missed the Denver game – are back practicing and expected to play Sunday. Also practicing this week is guard Mike Iupati (who missed the Broncos game with a concussion).
In fact, only three 49ers are listed on the team’s injury report this week: cornerback Tramaine Brock (toe), Ward (quadriceps) and Willis (toe). Each will play. Unfortunately, starting center Daniel Kilgore and cornerback Chris Cox were lost for the season. Kilgore will be replaced by rookie Marcus Martin.
This week, in a conference call with St. Louis media, Harbaugh, in his terse way, acknowledged that getting players such as Willis, Ward, Culliver and Iupati back is encouraging for his team.
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“Yes,” he said. “Always strive to have all hands on deck.”
The 49ers defense had been very strong going into the Denver game, one of the biggest factors in San Francisco rolling off three straight victories. But against Manning and Co., San Francisco couldn’t stop the run or the pass. Not having Willis in the middle (after already missing NaVorro Bowman, still not due to come back for several games) and Ward and Culliver certainly made the defense even more vulnerable.
Now the 49ers face a Rams team they beat just two games ago, 31-17.
The Rams are now plagued by injuries, plus lost starting quarterback Sam Bradford early in the year and are struggling. But, they beat the Seahawks recently and Harbaugh says he’s not taking the Rams lightly.
“It’s a salty opponent,” he told reporters, noting the division history between the teams.
But, he’s more focused on his own team and believes it will rebound from the Denver loss.
“Tough game, yeah,” he said. “Fortunately we’re a tough team. You re-fit, you re-group, you re-tool. That’s been our approach.”
