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NFC Championship Game, 49ers vs. Falcons injury report: Pass rushers limited on both sides

Their primary pass rushers are in a sack drought, but both the 49ers and Falcons will need their players healthy this weekend.

USA TODAY Sports
James Dator
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.

The Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers meet this weekend in the Georgia Dome, and while neither team is plagued with injury concerns entering the weekend, their primary pass rushers could change the complexion of the game.

Aldon Smith and John Abraham represent San Francisco and Atlanta's primary pass rushers respectively. In many ways the heart of their defenses, both were limited again in Thursday practice -- their third consecutive day. Accounting for over half his team's total sacks in 2012, being without Smith would be a serious blow for San Francisco, especially given fellow lineman Justin Smith is still recovering from injury. The key to a 49ers victory will be rushing the passer and ensuring that Matt Ryan isn't able to sit in the pocket and pick them apart.

As it stands both Smith and Abraham are expected to start. However, if they’re still limited tomorrow it will be interesting to see if their performance in affected due to lack of preparation. Both players are in somewhat of a sack drought -- it’s been four weeks since Aldon Smith got to the quarterback, and five since John Abraham has registered a sack. Both teams will hope their primary pass rushers are prepared and healthy heading into the weekend.

San Francisco 49ers

Name

Position

Injury

Wed

Thu

Fri

Status

Tarell Brown

CB

shoulder

LP

LP

-

-

Bruce Miller

FB

shoulder

LP

LP

-

-

Aldon Smith

LB

shoulder

LP

LP

-

-

Alex Boone

G

knee

FP

FP

-

-

NaVorro Bowman

LB

shoulder

FP

FP

-

-

Garrett Celek

TE

foot

FP

FP

-

-

Chris Culliver

CB

knee

FP

FP

-

-

Dashon Goldson

S

shinr

FP

FP

-

-

Tavares Gooden

LB

knee

FP

FP

-

-

Frank Gore

RB

knee

FP

FP

-

-

Clark Haggans

LB

shoulder

FP

FP

-

-

Mike Iupati

G

shoulder

FP

FP

-

-

Justin Smith

LB

elbow, triceps

FP

FP

-

-

Patrick Willis

LB

shoulder

FP

FP

-

-

Atlanta Falcons

Name

Position

Injury

Wed

Thu

Fri

Status

John Abraham

DE

ankle

LP

LP

-

-

Jonathan Babineaux

DT

shoulder

LP

LP

-

-

Christoper Owens

CB

hamstring

LP

LP

-

-

William Moore

S

hand

FP

FP

-

-

Stephen Nicolas

LB

foot

FP

FP

-

-

For more on the San Francisco 49ers, please visit Niners Nation. To read more on the Atlanta Falcons, head over to The Falcoholic.

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