5 49ers Players Who Need to Get Healthy During Bye Week

The San Francisco 49ers enter their bye week at a perfect time. After the drubbing they received at the hands of the Denver Broncos last Sunday night, a bit of rest and recovery is in order for Jim Harbaugh and Co. 

Its time for this injury-plagued team to get some healthy bodies back in the fold. From the offensive line to the secondary, the 49ers' injuries this season have been pretty widespread.

We're talking about role and core players missing significant time. In particular, All-Pro linebackers Aldon Smith and NaVorro Bowman. Neither made this list, though Smith is coming back from suspension rather than injury. 

We may not see Bowman until sometime in December, though I wouldn't be shocked if he suited up around Week 11 or 12 of the regular season. His partner in crime, on the other hand, should make his return soon. More on him later. 

Here are five players who need the upcoming bye week to return to form.

Tramaine Brock, CB

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The 49ers' top cornerback, Tramaine Brock, finally returned last Sunday night against the Broncos after a six-week absence. Brock started the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys before leaving the game with a serious toe injury. 

Brock was later diagnosed with turf toe. 

Now, it was good to see Brock active against the Broncos, but his performance against Peyton Manning and Co. left a lot to be desired. I expected Brock to be a little rusty after a long absence, but he was absolutely torched by Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas. 

Brock was going to have a tough time regardless, but it was pretty evident that he needs another week or two before returning to form.

The bye week should serve Brock well.

Mike Iupati, OG

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The 49ers offensive line just can't stay healthy, with Mike Iupati being the latest victim. Iupati suffered a concussion in the 49ers' victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 6.

Many thought Iupati would clear the concussion protocol in time for the 49ers' Sunday night tilt with the Broncos, but according to Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area, Jim Harbaugh said Iupati was still experiencing concussion symptoms. Iupati was then ruled out for the Broncos game. 

After already losing starting center Daniel Kilgore for the season, the 49ers can't afford to lose Iupati. Luckily for them, Iupati should be more than ready for their Week 9 battle with the Rams. You never want to underestimate concussions, but this doesn't appear to be too serious. 

With Iupati back in the fold, the 49ers will be more worried about rookie Marcus Martin at center. All in all, this offensive line has disappointed so far this season, but a bye week should give this line some time to improve their chemistry.

Vernon Davis, TE

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Vernon Davis has been shackled by a nagging back injury he suffered in the 49ers' victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. Davis has pushed through the pain to play, but this might be the worst thing Davis could do because back injuries tend to linger. 

It's best to get fully healthy rather than pushing through the pain. Unfortunately, Davis decided to tough it out, and his performance shows. When asked about the injury, Davis told Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, "Bad. Not good. Hurting. Pain."

Well, that description was pretty straightforward.

Davis had a rough outing against the Rams on Monday Night Football and has been quiet ever since. The 49ers really need Davis to get it together.

Some believe Davis isn't the player he once was, but I disagree. Just look at Davis' performance in San Francisco's Week 1 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Davis can still play at a high level, but he has to get fully healthy before the 49ers can utilize his unique abilities. They face the Rams after their bye week, which allows Davis to redeem himself after his poor outing the first time around.

Jimmie Ward and Chris Culliver, CB

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Now, Chris Culliver and Jimmie Ward are not star players, but both serve a role. They both have been inconsistent in the early parts of the season, though for what it's worth, this is Culliver's first year back since suffering a major ACL injury in training camp last season. And for Ward, it's his first season, period.

Both Culliver and Ward were inactive for the 49ers' game against the Broncos on Sunday night. Culliver was inactive with a shoulder and hamstring injury, while Ward was shut down due to a bad quadriceps.

I wouldn't say their absence played a huge part in the 49ers' struggles on defense, but their presence was missed nonetheless.

The 49ers need everybody they can get in the secondary. In all honesty, the secondary has never really been the strength of this defense. Once they get some healthy pieces back along the defensive line and linebacker group, it should put less pressure on the secondary.

More importantly, once both guys to return to health, I wonder how defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will approach this secondary. With the return of Brock, someone is losing playing time. 

Since being handed major playing time, I can't see the team limiting Perrish Cox. In all likelihood, either Culliver or Ward will get demoted. If I had to guess, it'll probably be the rookie, but that remains to be seen. 

Before Fangio makes his decision, both guys have to get healthy during the bye week.

Patrick Willis, ILB

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The heart and soul of this 49ers defense was missing in action against the Broncos last Sunday night, and boy, did this team need No. 52. Willis was ruled inactive with a toe injury. 

Even with Patrick Willis in the lineup, the 49ers likely would have lost that game, but this unit sorely needed his leadership. 

At times during last Sunday's loss, the 49ers didn't seem to put in their best effort. Injuries definitely played a major role in the loss, but there were too many mental breakdowns against Peyton Manning and Co. 

Willis surely would have helped, but the spirited linebacker just wasn't healthy enough to make the start. Luckily for the 49ers, Willis' toe injury doesn't appear to be serious, so we could see him back in action after the bye week. 

The strength of this defense lies in the play of the 49ers' inside linebackers. With Bowman still out, the absence of Willis is comparable to taking Earl Thomas out of the Seattle Seahawks lineup. 

When the 49ers get Willis, Bowman and Aldon Smith back in the lineup, the league's best linebacker group will once again reign terror on opposing offenses.