Frank Gore Injury: 49ers RB Will Gash Cardinals Despite Knee, Ankle Problems

Already playing on a tender ankle, Frank Gore added a knee injury to his medical log in last week’s victory over the Giants. Nevertheless, the 49ers running back plans to keep on pounding the ball in this afternoon’s meeting with Arizona.

As reported by ESPN (via Twitter), Gore is expected to play in today’s home date with the Cardinals. It’s likely that Kendall Hunter will also see significant action in the San Francisco backfield, but there’s every reason to believe that Gore will get his share of carries.

With or without their star runner, the Niners would’ve been a good bet to beat the 3-6 Cardinals at Candlestick Park. Gore’s presence in the lineup, though, will seal the deal for first-place San Francisco.

The Cardinals’ defense can’t stop the run or the pass, but given the state of the 49ers’ passing game, it’ll be the ground attack that carries the home team this afternoon (as usual).

Having Gore’s power (even at less than 100 percent) to alternate with the quicker Hunter will keep Arizona off-balance and keep the chains moving for San Francisco.

Given that San Francisco could likely get the win regardless of whether Gore plays, it would probably be the wiser move to rest him for this one, but it’s hard to blame him for wanting to get on the field.

Provided that he doesn’t aggravate either of his injuries—and if that were a likely outcome, he’d be sitting—San Francisco is certainly better off with him in the lineup than without.

Gore may not get enough touches to put up his usual impressive numbers, but expect the 49ers’ star to make more than enough plays to earn the team its ninth victory.