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Arizona: Quarterback Kevin Kolb practiced on a limited basis while continuing his return from a concussion. Coach Ken Whisenhunt remained noncommittal on a starter for Saturday's game at Cincinnati. Kolb has suffered significant injuries in two of his past three starts, missing games following each one. Kolb appears unlikely to start if his reps do not increase Thursday. The team has won enough with backup John Skelton to consider giving Kolb additional recovery time. Right tackle Brandon Keith (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Jeremy Bridges' presence gives the team insurance. Beanie Wells remained limited while dealing with a knee injury likely to bother him the rest of the season. Wells' production has fallen off as a result. The team's decision to place outside linebacker Joey Porter on injured reserve changes nothing. The team has gone with younger alternatives, and Porter wasn't playing.

St. Louis: The Rams remained without quarterbacks Sam Bradford (ankle) and A.J. Feeley (thumb). Bradford has shed the walking boot he wore last week, but it's unclear whether he'll return this week. Kellen Clemens could start again. The Rams were also without cornerbacks Justin King (shoulder) and Josh Gordy (abdominal) in practice Wednesday. Depth at the position is pretty much tapped out, a huge concern heading into a matchup against Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Mike Wallace. Gordy appears more likely than King to play. Earlier injuries at wide receiver became more significant Wednesday when the NFL levied a four-game suspension against rookie receiver Austin Pettis for using performance-enhancing drugs. The team's best receiver, Brandon Lloyd, did practice fully. He had been ill.

San Francisco: Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (ankle) and linebacker Patrick Willis (hamstring) missed practice. Ginn's injury is new. Willis remains on course to return at an unstated point in the future. As much as the 49ers want Willis back on the field right now, they need to make sure he's ready for the postseason. Hamstring injuries tend to recur, so the team might be erring on the side of caution. Left tackle Joe Staley did not finish the game Monday night after suffering a bruised leg. The 49ers did not list him on their injury report Wednesday. The team listed receiver Braylon Edwards as limited with a knee injury. He was inactive for performance-related reasons Monday night, but with Ginn's status unclear, the team needs numbers at the position. Ginn's absence would leave the 49ers with a less dynamic and experienced return specialist, a concern heading to Seattle.

Seattle: An ankle injury limited receiver Doug Baldwin in practice Wednesday. Having Baldwin ready is crucial now that Mike Williams has joined Sidney Rice on the Seahawks' injured reserve list. Baldwin is the team's best option on third down. The Seahawks figure to need their tight ends in protection against the 49ers' formidable defensive front seven. Linebacker David Hawthorne's full participation in practice despite a knee injury comes as a positive sign. The team has been resting Hawthorne during the week recently. Getting Hawthorne healthier is important because the team's depth at linebacker has run low in recent weeks. The 49ers favor heavier personnel groupings, so a full contingent of linebackers would have greater value this week than in some others.

Arizona: Kevin Kolb is spending his time on the practice field, not on the injury report. That suggests Kolb's injured toe and foot held up well during his victorious return against Dallas. Kolb overcame a slow start to finish strong. He showed good mobility in scrambling for 17 yards to the 5-yard line. He'll need that mobility against the 49ers' pressure Sunday. Running back Beanie Wells missed practice Wednesday to rest various ailments. He expects to start. Tight end Todd Heap rested his troublesome hamstring last week in an attempt to return more successfully this time. He was limited in practice. On defense, the team welcomed back safety Kerry Rhodes to practice. He suffered a broken foot against Minnesota two months ago. He could need time to ease back into playing.

St. Louis: The Rams are shuffling at quarterback and along the offensive line heading into their game against Seattle on Monday night. Rookie Tom Brandstater took the first-team QB reps while Sam Bradford (ankle) and A.J. Feeley (thumb) rested injuries. The Rams have some leeway given that they do not play until Monday, but this is a dire situation. Feeley said he does not anticipate being ready, according to the team. Bradford's status remains in question. The Rams are also without left guard Jacob Bell, who could miss multiple games after suffering a knee injury at San Francisco. The team is already without both starting tackles. One backup tackle, Mark LeVoir, is back at practice this week. Safety Darian Stewart is also back after missing one game with a concussion. Chris Long continues to miss practice, same as last week, but his two-sack performance against the 49ers indicates he'll be ready to play.

San Francisco: Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis isn't practicing. All signs point to Willis missing the Arizona game. Backup Larry Grant played well in relief against the Rams last week. The 49ers will presumably handle Willis' hamstring with care. Receiver Braylon Edwards also could return after missing the St. Louis game to rest knee and shoulder injuries. Receivers Michael Crabtree and Kyle Williams played well enough for the 49ers to feel good about the position whether or not Edwards is available. The 49ers are relatively healthy. Reports from 49ers practice suggest cornerback Carlos Rogers could be among those appearing on the injury report this week. The 49ers will make their report available following practice later Wednesday.

Seattle: Tarvaris Jackson's apparent recovery from a pectoral injury has allowed him to practice fully the last couple weeks. That's significant for an offense adjusting to frequently changing parts on the offensive line, and at receiver. Paul McQuistan goes from replacing the injured John Moffitt at right guard to replacing the injured Russell Okung at left tackle, a scenario the Seahawks never could have envisioned. Lemuel Jeanpierre steps in at right guard. All signs point to Seattle continuing its emphasis on the running game. On defense, David Hawthorne has been playing through knee problems. He was the NFC's defensive player of the week after returning an interception 77 yards for a touchdown against Philadelphia. The injury prevented him from opening up and running full speed, however. K.J. Wright took practice reps at middle linebacker while Hawthorne rested. Rookie Mike Morgan stepped into lineup at Wright's old spot. With no game til Monday, Hawthorne presumable has a good shot at playing.

Arizona: Quarterback Kevin Kolb took all the first-team reps in practice Wednesday for the first time since suffering toe/foot injuries against Baltimore one month ago. That puts Kolb on course to start against Dallas. Running back Beanie Wells was limited, but his 27-carry, 228-yard performance against Arizona suggests his knee injury is no longer holding him back much. And with fullback Anthony Sherman also healthy, the Cardinals' offensive backfield finally appears whole. That gives the team a chance to more accurately evaluate its offense over the final five games of the season. Hamstring trouble continues to limit tight end Todd Heap, but rookie Rob Housler practicing fully. Tight end Jeff King has become a preferred outlet against pressure for Arizona quarterbacks.

St. Louis: The team limited quarterback Sam Bradford in practice as a precaution after Bradford aggravated his ankle injury against Arizona. Bradford remains the expected starter against San Francisco, but with both starting tackles out for the season, his well-being is a concern Sunday. Adam Goldberg is expected to make his second consecutive start at left tackle. He struggled against Arizona's Sam Acho last week. The challenge grows against the 49ers' Justin Smith and Aldon Smith. On defense, Rams safety Darian Stewart remains sidelined by a concussion. He has been a willing hitter and an occasional playmaker. The Rams would miss him.

San Francisco: The 49ers are expected to have fullback Bruce Miller back from a concussion this week. The team missed Miller against Baltimore. Getting Miller back could help the running game and the offense overall. However, the 49ers could remain without starting right guard Adam Snyder, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Snyder has been a stabilizing force on the right side of the line. The 49ers might be wise to rest him, in my view. The same goes for receiver Braylon Edwards, whose play has suffered from injuries to his knee and shoulder.

Seattle: Sidney Rice's placement on injured reserve with a concussion hurts the offense. Mike Williams, Golden Tate, Deon Butler and Ben Obomanu figure to get more playing time. The team needs to find out more about Tate and Butler in particular. That should happen over the final five games. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has practiced this week despite the pectoral injury that has affected his play in recent weeks. Defensive tackle Alan Branch has returned to practice this week. The Seahawks' run defense missed him against Washington.

Arizona: Quarterback Kevin Kolb appears close to returning from the toe and foot injuries that have sidelined him since Oct. 30. He estimated taking more than a third of the reps in practice Wednesday. All signs point to a likely return for Kolb against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, but he'll need to continue practicing to work through some of the rust. Tight ends Todd Heap and Rob Housler were limited, as was running back Beanie Wells. Injuries at quarterback, running back and tight end will affect any offense. Wells' knee hasn't let him carry a full load, costly for the Cardinals after the team traded Tim Hightower and lost Ryan Williams to injured reserve.

St. Louis: The Rams are severely limited at offensive tackle and cornerback. Those are tough areas to be so shorthanded against Arizona. Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell is an imminent threat to the Rams' offensive line after St. Louis lost both starting tackles and its backup left tackle. Larry Fitzgerald obviously faces favorable matchups against the Rams' secondary now that St. Louis has placed 10 cornerbacks on injured reserve. The Rams practiced without their defensive leader Wednesday — middle linebacker James Laurinaitis has a foot injury. Losing him would prove devastating. The situation at tight end is also limiting the Rams. Mike Hoomanawanui is out for the season. Promising rookie tight end Lance Kendricks suffered a concussion against Seattle and was limited Wednesday.

San Francisco: Receiver Michael Crabtree (foot), cornerback Chris Culliver (shoulder), tackle Anthony Davis (ankle), receiver Braylon Edwards (knee) and running back Frank Gore (knee) were limited in practice Wednesday and listed as probable for Thursday. The team does not expect to have fullback Bruce Miller (concussion) for its game at Baltimore. The 49ers' relative strength and versatility at tight end affords them flexibility in dealing with injuries at fullback and wide receiver. The team doesn't need to lean heavily on three-receiver groupings because tight ends Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker are good receivers. Veteran fullback Moran Norris could return this week. The 49ers also use nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga as a fullback in certain situations.

Seattle: The biggest concern, in my view, centers around whether quarterback Tarvaris Jackson can remain in the lineup for the remainder of the season as he plays through a pectoral injury. Jackson was limited Wednesday. He's facing a Redskins defense featuring strong outside rushers in Ryan Kerrigan and Brian Orakpo. Defensive tackle Alan Branch (ankle), cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle), receiver Ben Obomanu (knee/ankle) and receiver Sidney Rice (knee) did not practice. The Seahawks have sufficient depth at all those players' positions and most of those players are expected to be available Sunday.

Arizona: Kevin Kolb's turf-toe injury is more than just a turf-toe injury. He's also dealing with a bone bruise along the outside of the same foot -- his right one, which takes most of the pressure when Kolb plants to throw. That bone bruise makes it tougher for Kolb to compensate for the toe injury by distributing additional weight elsewhere on the foot. As a result, he's struggling to come back quickly and could miss the Cardinals' game against San Francisco on Sunday. Kolb was already struggling in a new offense. He hasn't practiced in recent weeks, making it tougher for the team to feel good about playing him without a full week of practice. John Skelton appears likely to make a third consecutive start, particularly after winning his previous two. Tight ends Todd Heap (hamstring) and Rob Housler (groin) did not practice. Beanie Wells (knee) also sat out. Wells will presumably play, but the ground game faces a tough enough challenge against the 49ers without injuries diminishing Wells and the tight ends.

St. Louis: Injuries have severely depleted the Rams, but most of their remaining players practiced Wednesday, including left tackle Rodger Saffold (concussion). Right tackle Jason Smith (concussion), running back Cadillac Williams (calf) and receiver Brandon Gibson (groin) were the exceptions. The team isn't relying heavily on any of those players. The Rams do face severe challenges in their secondary, however. Starting cornerback Al Harris landed on injured reserve. The team signed corner Nate Ness from its practice squad. The Rams have few options at corner heading into a game against a Seattle team with vastly better receivers than the Rams faced in Week 17 last season. That is a concern. Losing tight end Michael Hoomanawanui to a season-ending knee injury will also hurt. He's been playing extensively for weeks. Rookie tight end Lance Kendricks practiced on a limited basis Wednesday despite a foot injury.

San Francisco: Frank Gore's knee injury and staying power for the remainder of the season are top concerns for the 49ers. Gore was not practicing Wednesday, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. Last season, Gore suffered a season-ending hip injury against Arizona in Week 12, missing the final five games. The Cardinals are on the schedule one week earlier this season. Getting Gore healthy for a playoff run seems like the wisest course, in my view. Gore told reporters his position coach, Tom Rathman, held him out against the Giants as a precaution. How much Gore practices later in the week will be telling. Inside linebacker Patrick Willis suffered injured ribs against the Giants. He's expected to practice and play.

Seattle: Coach Pete Carroll tends to see the glass half full when it comes to injuries. He was optimistic Wednesday about having strong safety Kam Chancellor and two of the team's top receivers, Sidney Rice and Doug Baldwin, after those three players suffered concussions against Baltimore. The key will be seeing how much those players practice over the next couple days. Chancellor's availability is a key issue for the Seahawks against Rams running back Steven Jackson. Seattle is a tougher, more physical team on defense with Chancellor. The Seahawks' injury situation at receiver is important, but the team plans to continue emphasizing its ground game. That will presumably remain a top priority against the Rams, who have allowed more rushing yards than any team in the league (despite improvements lately). Update: Rookie right tackle James Carpenter suffered a knee injury of unknown severity during practice Wednesday. Breno Giacomini would replace him in the line up if necessary. Losing Carpenter would set back the Seahawks' long-term plans for the line without necessarily hurting their chances against the Rams. Carpenter has struggled in pass protection.

Note: The 49ers and Seahawks are still practicing. I'll update with additional information as warranted.

Arizona: Kevin Kolb's turf-toe injury will either push John Skelton into the lineup or force Kolb to play at less than full strength. The Cardinals appear likely to go with Skelton against Philadelphia unless Kolb can practice at some point during the week. That is because Kolb is new to the Cardinals' offense and wasn't able to practice last week. "It's not like he can just pick it up and go," coach Ken Whisenhunt told reporters. Kolb did not practice Wednesday. Rookie fullback Anthony Sherman continues to miss practice with an ankle injury. Running back Beanie Wells (knee) was limited. The entire starting offensive backfield is hurting, in other words, and that's a significant concern. Tight end Todd Heap's role could increase in his second game back from a hamstring injury.

St. Louis: Quarterback Sam Bradford (ankle), running back Steven Jackson (foot) and emerging safety Darian Stewart (ankle) were among the limited participants in practice Wednesday. Bradford did not practice at all last Wednesday, so his participation this week looks like progress. The Rams remain without starting right tackle Jason Smith (head). They do not seem worse for his absence, but depth on the offensive line is thinner. Depth at linebacker and defensive tackle is running a bit low. Linebacker Bryan Kehl has a high-ankle sprain. Kehl and rookie tight end Lance Kendricks (foot) did not practice.

San Francisco: Frank Gore's injured ankle was the No. 1 concern as the 49ers practiced Wednesday. Gore was in uniform and participating in individual drills, but reports suggested he was favoring the ankle. Still, his participation at all on a Wednesday suggests the injury is something Gore can manage. Defensive end Ray McDonald, sidelined by a hamstring injury last week, also took part in individual drills. Quarterback Alex Smith was fortunate to avoid injury on the big hit he took from Washington's Ryan Kerrigan last week. Consider it a reminder that Smith needs to get rid of the ball more quickly against talented pass-rushers such as Kerrigan and those on the New York Giants awaiting him Sunday.

Seattle: Receiver depth was in flux as the Seahawks practiced Wednesday. Sidney Rice, bothered by shoulder trouble early in the season and foot problems more recently, missed practice with multiple as-yet-undisclosed ailments. Mike Williams practiced despite a foot/ankle injury. Kris Durham went on injured reserve with a torn labrum. Deon Butler came off the physically unable to perform list. Doug Baldwin and Ben Obomanu provide good depth. Coach Pete Carroll was coy on Rice's ailments, but there was no reason to expect Rice to miss the game Sunday. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson continues to play through a pectoral injury that could be affecting his performance on more demanding throws. That's a concern against a Baltimore defense featuring Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and others.

Arizona: Quarterback Kevin Kolb shed his walking boot Wednesday and has a better chance to start Sunday as a result. He did not practice. Kolb played most of the team's game at Baltimore with a turf-toe injury. The Cardinals should be able to lean on their ground game against St. Louis. That could help Kolb get through a game at less than full strength. Backup John Skelton had a 2-2 record as a starter last season. Top running back Beanie Wells is hurting, but he ran hard against Baltimore's rugged defense, playing 54.7 percent of offensive snaps despite a bad knee. Coach Ken Whisenhunt called Wells a "tough sucker" and said he expected Wells to be ready against the Rams as well. Tight end Todd Heap is expected back from a hamstring injury, but much depends on how he fares during practices. Fullback Anthony Sherman's ankle injury led the team to bring back Reagan Maui'a, who knows the offense and should be able to function. Backup tight end Jim Dray helped out at fullback last week.

St. Louis: Quarterback Sam Bradford, sidelined the last two weeks by a high-ankle sprain, shed his walking boot and began strengthening exercises. He did not practice Wednesday and could still be another week away from returning. The Rams averaged only 8.8 yards per completed pass against New Orleans with A.J. Feeley at quarterback, but the Cardinals' struggling pass defense could help this week. The Rams will likely remain without offensive tackle Jason Smith (neck/concussion) and defensive tackle Darell Scott (concussion). Adam Goldberg fared relatively well in Smith's place against New Orleans. Danario Alexander (hamstring), linebacker Brady Poppinga (calf) and cornerback Justin King (groin) are participating in individual drills. King's status is more pressing given depth issues in the secondary, but with the Cardinals using two tight ends quite a bit, the challenge is different this week than last.

San Francisco: Defensive end Ray McDonald suffered a hamstring injury against Cleveland, interrupting what has been a strong season for him. Replacement Ricky Jean-Francois played 69.8 percent of the 49ers' snaps against Cleveland. The 49ers have enough talent on defense to play well without McDonald, should he need this week to recover. Receiver Braylon Edwards played 55.2 percent of the offensive snaps Sunday in his first game back from knee surgery. He took a few hits, struggled for yardage and did not appear any worse for the experience. Vernon Davis played through an arm injury against Cleveland and was expected to remain available against Washington. The 49ers have not updated their injury situation yet Wednesday. Their reports have featured a surprise or two previously this season. I'll update if that is the case this week as well. Update: Defensive end Justin Smith, who has started 162 consecutive games, did not practice. Could just be a day of rest. No details yet.

Seattle: Tarvaris Jackson is getting most of the practice snaps and will start against the Dallas Cowboys, barring a setback in his recovery from a pectoral injury. Jackson was much better than backup Charlie Whitehurst last week. He gives the Seahawks' their best chance in the passing game. Receiver Mike Williams was a surprise game-day scratch against Cincinnati. He remains limited with a hamstring injury. Whether he plays matters less than it would have last season given how the passing game has been running through Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin and Ben Obomanu. Tight end Cameron Morrah is resting a knee injury. Depth behind Zach Miller has been a bit sketchy. Anthony McCoy has struggled. Update: Linebacker Leroy Hill (knee) did not practice.

Arizona: Beanie Wells missed practice Wednesday and will have to fight through a knee injury if he does play against Baltimore in Week 8. The fact that the Cardinals initially thought Wells suffered a season-ending injury makes returning only one week later seem like a long shot. The Cardinals have not set a timetable for Wells' return. Whether Wells practices Thursday and Friday should tell us plenty about whether the third-year running back plays Sunday. The Cardinals are a much more physical team in the running game when Wells is available. The Ravens rank among the NFL's top three in rushing yards allowed overall and per carry. Tight end Todd Heap's availability is also in question. A hamstring injury continues to slow him. The Cardinals have better depth at the position this season, though. Wells is the key variable.

St. Louis: Sam Bradford continues to miss practice with a high-ankle sprain, preventing the Rams from making fuller use of new receiver Brandon Lloyd, in my view. I see no reason for the Rams to rush Bradford back onto the field against a New Orleans team known for taking shots at opposing quarterbacks, including their ankles. The assumption here is that Bradford must practice by week's end to have a shot at playing. The Rams have yet to activate receiver Mark Clayton and cornerback Marquis Johnson from the physically unable to perform list. The need is greater at corner than receiver. The Rams, already without their top three corners for the remainder of the season, lost corner Justin King to a groin injury last week. His status remains unclear. Right tackle Jason Smith could be out indefinitely after suffering neck and head injuries at Dallas. Left tackle Rodger Saffold missed practice with an illness Wednesday.

San Francisco: The 49ers are expected to welcome back receiver Braylon Edwards from knee surgery. The timing is perfect for Edwards because the 49ers are facing the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him third overall. Coach Jim Harbaugh suggested his injury-related optimism earlier in the week might have been premature. You can bet Edwards has been pointing toward this game for his return, however. Fullback Moran Norris isn't expected to return. His replacement, Bruce Miller, has shown improvement. The 49ers have used only one back half the time on first and second down to this point in the season, according to ESPN Stats & Information. They're obviously comfortable using two tight ends with two wide receivers, diminishing the need for a fullback. They're fine without Norris, in other words. Parys Haralson's expected return from a hamstring injury comes as rookie Aldon Smith is stepping up his game, anyway. How many snaps those players get will be a storyline for the remainder of the season. Smith, it seems, needs to play. Right guard Adam Snyder is expected back from a stinger. The 49ers' ground game has been better since Snyder took over as the starter.

Seattle: The Seahawks should get center Max Unger, running back Marshawn Lynch and/or tight end Zach Miller back from injuries this week. All were limited Wednesday, and coach Pete Carroll said decisions would not be made until later in the week. Seattle needs Lynch because the team doesn't have another big back for its offense. Backups Leon Washington and Justin Forsett are too similar to provide the differentiation Carroll values. Miller's absence played a leading role in the team's defeat at Cleveland, I thought. Backup Anthony McCoy suffered through a rough game. The Seahawks need him back. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is the other big question mark for Seattle this week. His pectoral injury hasn't prevented him from throwing, but he remains limited. It's too early to say whether he's likely to play this week. I would expect a better effort from backup Charlie Whitehurst this week, should he play.

Arizona: The Cardinals' bye week helps more from a practice standpoint than an injury standpoint. Arizona needs the work without having to focus on the next opponent so much. Free safety Kerry Rhodes is expected to miss several weeks with a broken foot suffered at Minnesota. Left guard Daryn Colledge suffered a concussion against the Vikings. The bye week should help Beanie Wells (hamstring), Brandon Keith (knee), Todd Heap (hamstring) and others get through injuries that have bothered them recently.

St. Louis: The Rams' injuries at cornerback are old news, but worth mentioning given their matchup Sunday against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Starters Ron Bartell (neck) and Bradley Fletcher (knee) are out for the season, as is projected third corner Jerome Murphy (ankle). That means Justin King and Al Harris are the likely starters. Another corner, Josh Gordy, missed practice Wednesday to attend a family funeral. A hamstring injury sidelined guard Jacob Bell. Tony Wragge would start in his place if necessary. Tight end Mike Hoomanawanui (concussion) and defensive end James Hall (back) were limited. With receiver Danny Amendola out for the season, rookie Austin Pettis becomes the primary slot receiver. His development is key.

San Francisco: The 49ers got nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga back from a staph infection, restoring depth to their defensive line. Cornerback Shawntae Spencer's expected return from a toe injury could send rookie Chris Culliver to the sideline. Culliver got good experience against Tampa Bay, picking off a pass. He should be in better position to help the team in the future, if needed. The situation at wide receiver remains dicey with Braylon Edwards still out and Josh Morgan landing on injured reserve. The 49ers already favored personnel groupings with two tight ends. That should continue. Ted Ginn Jr. becomes a starter. Morgan was an excellent blocker and physical player overall. Guard Mike Iupati, affected by a neck injury in recent weeks, missed practice and reportedly had a wrap on his knee.

Seattle: The Seahawks did not make coach Pete Carroll available following practice Wednesday, presumably because the team was not yet prepared to discuss the pending trade involving Aaron Curry. As a result, injury news was scarcer than usual, even for a bye week. Center Max Unger continues to wear a boot on his injured foot, but line coach Tom Cable indicated that Unger should be available next week. We won't know until next week whether quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) and tight end Zach Miller (neck) will return quickly. Jackson was at practice Wednesday, but did not formally participate. I did not see Miller in attendance. Receiver Mike Williams was back on the practice field this week after missing one game with a concussion. The team has enough young depth at the position to function without him.

Arizona: Beanie Wells' emphatic return from a hamstring injury last week signals he's ready to carry the offense if necessary. That affects every aspect of the offense for Arizona. LaRod Stephens-Howling's has not yet returned kickoffs since returning from a hand injury. His replacement, A.J. Jefferson, has averaged 29.0 yards per return. The team re-signed veteran punter Ben Graham as insurance in case Dave Zastudil's sore knee prevents him from playing. Graham's familiarity with the Cardinals and experience as Jay Feely's holder on field goals made him a natural choice in a pinch. Right tackle Brandon Keith's knee injury could press Jeremy Bridges into the lineup. Bridges has played pretty well when needed, including last week, but his shall-we-say exuberance puts him at risk for penalties.

St. Louis: The Rams have no game this week, but they do have new injury concerns. Top cornerback Bradley Fletcher is undergoing an MRI after injuring his knee during a practice collision with Mike Sims-Walker. Top receiver Danny Amendola had hoped to return from a dislocated elbow after the bye, but reports suggest he could be finished for the season. Mark Clayton is eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list following the sixth game, but the Rams would seemingly have to consider tapping the trade market if Amendola does miss the season. The bye should provide needed relief for James Hall (back), Sam Bradford (hip) and Steven Jackson (quadriceps), among others. Even defensive coordinator Ken Flajole needs the rest after pulling a groin muscle while administering practice drills Wednesday. Update: Fletcher is out for the season with a torn ACL, a devastating setback for the Rams. They have little quality and no depth at corner heading into games against Green Bay, Dallas and New Orleans.

San Francisco: Frank Gore, like the Cardinals' Wells, put to rest injury concerns with his performance in Week 4. Gore told reporters his ankle feels much better this week. The 49ers are getting healthier for the most part. They've welcomed back free safety Dashon Goldson and receiver Michael Crabtree in recent weeks, and both are contributing. Safety Donte Whitner's hip injury is not keeping him from practicing. Receiver Braylon Edwards isn't expected back from knee surgery until closer to midseason, but with Crabtree producing against Philadelphia, the 49ers should be OK at the position. Defensive linemen Ian Williams and Demarcus Dobbs are candidates to fill the roster spot created when backup defensive end Will Tukuafu went on injured reserve this week. Dobbs in particular impressed during preseason. The 49ers will be fine up front as long as their starters are healthy. Update: The 49ers subsequently listed nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga (infection) and cornerback Shawntae Spencer (toe) on their injury report. Losing Sopoaga would be significant.

Seattle: The Seahawks' injury list contains little drama this week. Linebacker Matt McCoy's season-ending knee injury affects the nickel defense and special teams. Seattle brought back former Rams linebacker David Vobora for depth. Injury concerns at linebacker make it tough, in my view, for the team to part with Aaron Curry even though it's obvious Curry no longer fits prominently into the team's long-term plans. Strong safety Kam Chancellor remains sidelined by a quadriceps injury. He did not practice Wednesday and his status for Week 5 is unclear. The team's run defense suffers without him, but not terribly so. Receiver Mike Williams left the Atlanta game with a concussion and is not yet practicing. Sidney Rice's return, Doug Baldwin's emergence and Golden Tate's behind-the-scenes improvement puts the team in better position to play without Williams if necessary.

Arizona Cardinals:
Depth at running back remains the biggest injury variable for the Cardinals heading into Week 4. Beanie Wells hopes to return from the hamstring injury that sidelined him against Seattle. Hamstring injuries are notoriously difficult to manage, however. Returning too soon can put a player at heightened risk for a setback with long-term ramifications. The extent to which Wells practices late in the week should be telling. He was limited Wednesday. Chester Taylor started against Seattle, but Alfonso Smith was the primary back. Fellow running back and return specialist LaRod Stephens-Howling, recovering from a hand injury, also missed the Seattle game. He has only two kickoff returns this season. After three games last season, he had 13 returns for 351 yards and a touchdown. The Cardinals also miss what he brought to the offense as a situational player. On defense, linebacker Daryl Washington returned from his calf injury against Seattle.

San Francisco 49ers:
Receiver Braylon Edwards and fullback Moran Norris remain out, hurting the offense. Edwards would have given the team a needed receiving threat heading into the 49ers' game against Philadelphia's talented secondary. More pressure falls on Michael Crabtree, who apparently made it through Week 3 without aggravating his foot injury. Running back Frank Gore was on the practice field Wednesday despite suffering an injured right ankle against Cincinnati. That injury could lead to more playing time for rookie Kendall Hunter. Injuries were already affecting the ground game. The 49ers miss Norris and their top blocking tight end, Nate Byham, who is on injured reserve. Safety Donte Whitner was expected to play this week despite a hip injury. Having fellow safety Dashon Goldson return from injury last week helped the team's depth at the position.

Seattle Seahawks:
The Seahawks' latest injury-related change to the offensive line will not affect the game-day rotation. Assistant head coach/offensive line Tom Cable underwent back surgery that will keep him from coaching for the short term. On the field, Seattle appears likely to start the same five linemen in the same spots in back-to-back weeks, something the team has not done this season. The line made strides overall against Arizona, but Paul McQuistan struggled through a tough matchup against Calais Campbell in his first game as Robert Gallery's injury replacement at left guard. Fullback Michael Robinson's absence since Week 1 has hurt the special-teams coverage units. He's back this week. Strong safety Kam Chancellor is expected to start despite resting a thigh injury Wednesday. Receiver Sidney Rice made it through his Seattle debut without aggravating his shoulder injury. His availability is big for the passing game.

St. Louis Rams:
Sam Bradford participated fully in practice despite his sprained toe. He was hurt scrambling against Baltimore. The fact that Bradford missed no practice time suggests the injury does not threaten his availability. What it means for his mobility will be harder to say. Running back Steven Jackson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and appeared closer to full strength than at any time since suffering a quadriceps injury in Week 1, according to reports. He appears likely to play a more significant role against Washington this week. Receiver Danny Amendola appears on course to return from a dislocated elbow following the Rams' Week 5 bye. He participated in individual drills Wednesday, but it's an upset if the Rams hurry him back into the lineup with the bye so close. Tight end Michael Hoomanawanui continues to fight through injuries. He emerged from the Baltimore game with a back injury, but he practiced on a limited basis. With injury issues affecting the secondary, the Rams signed veteran cornerback Rod Hood, formerly of the Cardinals. The Rams released rookie safety Jermale Hines, who appeared headed for the practice squad.

Arizona: Inside linebacker Daryl Washington continues to miss practice with a calf injury suffered during the regular-season opener. He did not play against Washington and will be missed if unavailable again this week. Washington flashed playmaking ability last season and picked up where he left off. The other starting inside linebacker, Paris Lenon, practiced fully despite briefly leaving the Washington game. The Cardinals should have strong depth at the position, but veteran newcomer Stewart Bradley has struggled getting comfortable in a 3-4 scheme. He and Reggie Walker could play more against the Seahawks. Running back LaRod Stephens-Howling was limited in practice and could return from a hand injury. He's a threat on kick returns and tends to get the ball when Arizona puts him on offense, but if the hand injury threatens ball security, that could change. Beanie Wells is commanding more carries, anyway.

St. Louis: The Rams think running back Steven Jackson wouldn't have tested his strained quadriceps during pregame warmups in Week 2 if he weren't close to returning. That suggests Jackson could be back on the field against Baltimore in Week 3. The Rams need him, but can they count on his health? Recent history suggests they cannot even though Jackson has played through most of his injuries. Backup Cadillac Williams suffered a hamstring injury Monday night, but he's expected to be available. Depth at receiver and cornerback is also a concern. Receiver Danny Amendola will push to get back from a dislocated elbow as early as the Rams will let him back on the field, but it might not happen this week. Amendola's backup, rookie Greg Salas, muffed a punt Monday night and emerged from the game with injured ribs. The corner situation remains dicey, although it hasn't gotten appreciably worse after Tim Atchison landed on injured reserve. The team signed corner Josh Gordy from its practice squad to replace Atchison, who also had roots on the practice squad. Losing starter Ron Bartell and projected third corner Jerome Murphy previously forced the Rams into a tough spot. Linebacker Ben Leber (groin) and defensive end C.J. Ah You (wrist) are also injured. Ah You will not play Sunday, leaving more snaps, in theory, for rookie first-round pick Robert Quinn. The Rams practiced later than usual Wednesday, so an official report was not yet available.

San Francisco: Losing receiver Braylon Edwards to knee surgery was the big story from 49ers headquarters Wednesday. It's not clear how long Edwards will miss, but he's not playing against Cincinnati in Week 3. Michael Crabtree's expected return would help, but he hasn't practiced much with the team under coach Jim Harbaugh. Joshua Morgan, Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams figure to play more prominent roles. This could be the week tight end Vernon Davis gets more involved in the offense as a receiver. He made key plays against Seattle in the opener, but the 49ers haven't been leaning on the pass. Davis met with Harbaugh this week to discuss his role after catching only seven passes for 65 yards in the first two games. He went through two stints last season with equal or less production in consecutive games. Each time, he had a 100-yard receiving game the next week. Fullback Moran Norris has a lower leg injury that could threaten his availability. Bruce Miller, whose primary value is on special teams, would replace him. It's possible the team would run fewer two-back personnel groupings without Norris. The team has averaged 2.2 yards per carry from two-back personnel on early downs, compared to 3.7 with one back. UPDATE: The 49ers disclosed that quarterback Alex Smith suffered a concussion against Dallas, but Smith practiced fully Wednesday.

Seattle: Receiver Sidney Rice returned to practice and will try to play despite a torn labrum. Having him available and anywhere near full strength would significantly improve the Seahawks' prospects in the passing game, particularly against an Arizona secondary that has struggled. But it's too early in the week to know whether Rice's shoulder will hold up. The offensive line will shuffle again with Robert Gallery requiring groin surgery. The dropoff from a diminished Gallery to a healthier Paul McQuistan might not be significant, but it's been four seasons since McQuistan started. If necessary, the team could always shift right tackle James Carpenter back to left guard, with Breno Giacomini going back into the lineup at right tackle. But McQuistan gets first crack at starting. Fullback Michael Robinson continues to miss practice with an ankle injury. The team feels his loss on special teams. The same is true with cornerback Byron Maxwell, who also missed practice with an ankle injury. Losing Robinson and Maxwell during the opener at San Francisco played a role in the Seahawks' late special-teams collapse. Coaches have had time to prepare contingencies, but getting Robinson back in particular will help.

Seattle: Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu was the only Seahawks player not practicing Wednesday. The Seahawks expect him to play Sunday, eight days after suffering a concussion.

Coach Pete Carroll: "He’s gone through the walk-through and stuff. So far, his tests and everything have gone very well. It looks very favorable for him to play in this game."

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck took only one sack in the wild-card round and he has practiced despite the hip injury that sidelined him in Week 17. The cast on Hasselbeck's injured left wrist makes it tougher for him to brace his falls, exposing the hip to punishment, but that did not stop him from playing at a high level Saturday.

Receiver Ben Obomanu was able to keep playing against New Orleans despite dislocating a shoulder. He is practicing and expects to play against the Bears.

Seattle: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is practicing enough to suggest he'll be available to start Saturday. The Seahawks could have started Hasselbeck against St. Louis, but the team determined Hasselbeck might not move well enough to avoid trouble. Coach Pete Carroll has not declared whether Hasselbeck or Charlie Whitehurst will start against the Saints. I expect Hasselbeck to start, but Carroll has shown he can pull a surprise.

Everyone but right tackle Sean Locklear participated in practice Wednesday. The team excused Locklear from practice to tend to an undisclosed family matter. The Seahawks lack depth on their line. Seattle placed guard Chester Pitts on injured reserve. That means former starting right guard Stacy Andrews could be active for the first time since Week 14. Andrews is better suited at tackle. He's been working at right tackle with Locklear unavailable. Left tackle Russell Okung continues to fight through ankle problems. He wore down against the Rams and could be vulnerable as the game progresses. Pitts' replacement, Tyler Polumbus, was also limping at times Sunday. Receiver Brandon Stokley could return from his latest concussion. He has reportedly suffered more than 10.

New Orleans: The Saints lost running backs Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory for the season this week, affecting their ground game. Ivory had 99 yards against Seattle in Week 11. Former Seahawk Julius Jones figures to play a more prominent role. Reggie Bush did not play against Seattle in the previous matchup. He'll play Saturday.

Linebacker Danny Clark (hamstring), tight end Jimmy Graham (ankle), defensive tackle Tony Hargrove (knee) and safety Malcolm Jenkins (knee) did not practice Wednesday. Tight ends Jeremy Shockey (groin) and David Thomas (knee) were limited. Defensive end Alex Brown (shoulder), receiver Marques Colston (knee) and linebacker Anthony Waters (ankle) participated fully. Colston missed Week 17. Having him back gives Drew Brees one of his favorite weapons. Colston caught eight passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns against Seattle during the regular season.

For more on the Saints' injury situation, check out Pat Yasinskas' report.

Arizona: A hamstring injury sidelined running back LaRod Stephens-Howling for the Dallas game, depriving the Cardinals of their best return specialist. Stephens-Howling also factors into the game plan on offense. The team misses him when he cannot play, and it's unclear whether he'll return Sunday. Receiver Larry Fitzgerald suffered a head injury against Dallas and doesn't remember much of the game, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic notes. He kept playing and made a key 26-yard reception on fourth-and-15 to help win the game. Fitzgerald apparently came out of the game OK. His name wasn't on the injury report Wednesday.

San Francisco: Pro Bowl inside linebacker Patrick Willis will miss the final game of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his broken hand. The 49ers are out of the playoff race, making it easier for Willis to step away. He has never missed a game previously in his career. He was playing at a high level despite the injury. Rookie NaVorro Bowman will start in his place. Bowman hasn't gotten many reps with the defense lately. He needs the playing time. The 49ers are keeping left tackle Joe Staley on their roster even though he will not play. They'll name him inactive Sunday. The rule allowing the 49ers to keep Lance Long on the practice squad for a third season requires them to keep 53 players on their active roster, so the 49ers will not move players to injured reserve unless they need the roster spot.

Seattle: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will not practice before Friday at the earliest after suffering what he termed a "butt" injury against Tampa Bay. Charlie Whitehurst will take the starting reps. It's possible Hasselbeck could play if he feels better by kickoff. The Seahawks are talking as though Whitehurst will likely be the starter. Hasselbeck has not played well enough recently for his injury to dramatically affect the outlook for the game. Even if he starts, will he be able to finish? Cornerback Marcus Trufant struggled against Tampa Bay after back spasms limited him in practice. The Rams do not have elite receivers, but Sam Bradford's accuracy can put cornerbacks in a bind at times. The Seahawks were without receiver Brandon Stokley in practice Wednesday. He's recovering from a concussion. Left tackle Russell Okung is practicing despite ankle problems. He's not near full strength, but he's been fighting through the injury to stay on the field.

St. Louis: The Rams have been hopeful tight end Mike Hoomanawanui might return from ankle trouble in time for one of the final two games. He did not play in Week 16. He did not play against Seattle in Week 4. He could resume practicing Thursday. Getting Hoomanawanui back would help against the Seahawks, who had trouble against Tampa Bay's Kellen Winslow. Hoomanawanui has a scoring reception in each of his last two games. He has three in his last five games. His presence also allows the Rams to play without a fullback on their 45-man gameday roster; Hoomanawanui lines up in the backfield sometimes. The Rams have significant concerns on special teams after losing fullback Brit Miller to a season-ending knee injury. Another top specialist, Chris Chamberlain, is starting at linebacker. The 49ers' Ted Ginn Jr. beat the Rams for a 78-yard return touchdown last week. Seattle's Leon Washington presents an even greater threat. He has three scores on kick returns this season and nearly scored on a punt return, too.