http://bleacherreport.com/tb/d9fJx?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=san-francisco-49ers

Well, it had to be something more than a nasty bruise.
Eleven days after seemingly indomitable defensive tackle Justin Smith was injured in a win over the Patriots, the 49ers revealed the nature of the injury that forced the four-time Pro Bowl selection to miss his first start since 2001 on Sunday.
According to the team, Smith had a bone spur detach when he sustained a partial tear of his left triceps tendon. The bone spur remains in his left elbow, which is why the team has classified it as an elbow injury. The 49ers provided specifics regarding the injury after the Sacramento Bee reported that Smith had sustained a partial triceps tear.
Smith, 33, who has yet to practice since he was injured, is certain to miss Sunday's regular-season finale against visiting Arizona. The 49ers have not placed him on injured reserve and hope he can return at some point in the postseason. Smith could require offseason surgery.
With Smith sidelined last week, the 49ers surrendered 176 rushing yards in a 42-13 loss at Seattle, the most they'd allowed since Sept. 26, 2010. Seattle's 42 points were the most scored against San Francisco since a 45-10 loss to the Falcons on Oct. 11, 2009.
On Thursday, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio downplayed the impact of Smith's absence in Seattle.
"They just outplayed us, outcoached us in that game," Fangio said. "And we weren't very good. We could have had five Justin Smiths, maybe. That wasn't the issue in the last game. ... Those guys just whipped us."
For his part, inside linebacker Patrick Willis acknowledged that the loss of his fellow defensive captain creates an emotional void. Known for his dedication, aversion to the spotlight and dry wit, Smith is perhaps the most respected player in the locker room.
"You can't really put into words what he means to this defense," Willis said. "Justin is one of our team captains, but more than just a captain, he's a man that goes out there and leads by example. He doesn't say a whole lot. He only speaks when he has to. He goes out there and plays with heart. He's a guy that I look up to in this league."
Smith, whose recently snapped streak of 185 starts ranked third among active players, has played through a myriad of maladies during his 12-year career. But could he return less than a month after sustaining a partial triceps tear? The 49ers could play a wild-card playoff game as early as Jan. 5, 20 days after Smith was injured.
Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis had surgery after a complete triceps tear Oct. 14. Baltimore did not place him on season-ending injured reserve and hopes he can return during the playoffs, at least 12 weeks after he was hurt.
Willis allowed for the possibility that Smith wouldn't be back until the 2013 season.
"I know it's killing him not be out there with us," he said. "But like I said, I want him to do the right thing. Take the right steps right now so, hopefully, we can get him back in time. But if not, for his career, he's able to take care of it now and be back with us next year."
Briefly: Tight end Vernon Davis (concussion) was cleared by an independent neurologist and was limited in practice after not participating Wednesday. Davis wore a non-contact jersey, an indication he has yet to be cleared to play Sunday. ... Center Jonathan Goodwin (illness) did not practice.
Smith's absence creates huge hole
The 49ers have played the majority of the past six quarters without injured All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Smith and the statistical dropoff has been striking. Here's a look at the defense's per-quarter averages before and after Smith's injury:
First downs
First 54 quarters: 4.2
Past 6 quarters: 8.0
Yards
First 54 quarters: 68.4
Past 6 quarters: 125.5
Points*
First 54 quarters: 3.2
Past 6 quarters: 11.0
* Does not include points scored by opponents' defense or special teams.