Everyone looks healthy now
January 07, 2003
SANTA CLARA -- Steve Mariucci started to read his team's injury report Sunday evening, following his team's wild locker-room celebration of their 39-38 playoff victory over the New York Giants.
"A win like this certainly helps you healthy up," the beaming coach said.
The 49ers do have some injuries, and a half-dozen or so starters will miss a lot of practice time this week. But as Mariucci again scanned the list Monday afternoon, he wasn't counting anybody out of Sunday's second-round playoff date at Tampa Bay.
"Derrick Deese will not practice much this week," Mariucci said of his left tackle, who left the Giants game because of a sprained ankle. "But we've got him listed as probable because he's gonna play."
On right guard Ron Stone, also hobbled by a sprained ankle: "Sore, limited in practice. He will play."
And on safety Zack Bronson, who has a sore foot: "He's gonna be limited in practice," the coach said, now laughing, "and he's gonna play."
At this point in the season, nobody wants to sit out. So healthy or not, the 49ers expect to face the Buccaneers with their most complete roster of the season.
Receiver Terrell Owens, who has been missing practice because of groin and heel injuries and still dominating every Sunday for months, isn't expected to practice much this week.
Cornerback Jason Webster, who missed the Giants game because of a sprained ankle, is still listed as questionable, but he has a much better chance of playing now that the swelling is reduced. Linebacker Saleem Rasheed, who has a strained quadriceps, also has a good chance to return.
Bronson said he felt good on the field after missing 12 weeks because of a broken foot. He left in the third quarter because of soreness but expects to start Sunday.
Sutherland returns -- Special-teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven said Vinny Sutherland will reprise his role from last season as the 49ers' return specialist. Sutherland was signed off waivers last week and entered Sunday's game after punt returner Cedrick Wilson fumbled a fair-catch attempt.
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