Frank Gore will give it a go in Philly Sunday. (US PRESSWIRE)

Posted by Ryan Wilson

Despite initial reports that 49ers running back Frank Gore wouldn't play against the Eagles Sunday, NFL Network's Albert Breer tweeted at 10:30 a.m. ET that "There's Frank Gore warming up. He'll play this afternoon, [Question] is how ankle holds up over the course of the day."  Kendall Hunter is still expected to start, however.

Gore, who is fresh off a new deal, has gotten off to a glacially slow start. In three games, he has 59 carries for 148 yards (2.5 average) and one touchdown, and his longest run from scrimmage is just 16 yards. In his previous six NFL seasons, Gore's lowest yards-per-carry average was 4.2 (2007, 2010), and he's gained fewer than 1,000 rushing yards just twice.

As recently as Thursday, Gore seemed uncertain of his playing fate, telling CSNBayArea.com's Matt Maiocco "I don't know, man," Gore said. "I really don't know. If I can't go, I can't go."

Whoever's in the backfield, Gore has faith they'll be able to run on the Eagles.

"I think it'll happen this week," Gore said. "Me, Kendall or Anthony Dixon, I think whoever's in there should have a pretty good game. Philly loves to get up the field. They're real fast. I just hope I'm in there. But if I'm not, I hope the next guy in there will do the job."

Gore's right; Philly's rush defense ranks 25th, according to Football Outsiders, although the 49ers aren't exactly their Bay Area counterparts, the Raiders, when it comes to running the ball. Football Outsiders ranks San Francisco 28th overall, and in addition to Gore's 2.5-YPC average, Hunter is averaging 2.7 yards per carry and Anthony Dixon has just one carry all season for six yards.

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Posted by Will Brinson

The 49ers climbed back into playoff contention with a win against the Cardinals, but they suffered a tremendous loss as well -- Frank Gore, who left the game early with a hip injury, and then pulled himself out of the game, is out for the year with a broken hip.

Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network first reported that Gore had a fractured right hip and would miss the remainder of the year. The 49ers confirmed Gore's injury status following the game.

After the win, Gore left the Cardinals stadium on crutches and is expected to miss the final five regular season games.

Gore piled up 52 yards against Arizona on just five carries in the early-going, but was replaced by Brian Westbrook who rushed 23 times for 136 yards and a touchdown.

It's expected that Westbrook will take the majority of carries for San Fran, with rookie Anthony Dixon grabbing some goal line action as well.

Regardless of how well Westbrook ran, though, there's nothing good to see here -- the Cardinals defense was completely anemic, and anyone with two legs and half a hip could have moved through their front seven.

In other words, with the coach-killing Packers looming next week, Gore's absence could mean bad things for Mike Singletary and the 49ers.

Brian Westbrook discusses filling in for the injured Frank Gore after Monday's win.


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