According to 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, RE Justin Smith (triceps) has "made improvements," and "seems ready." "God willing and the creek don't rise, he's going to play," Harbaugh said of Smith's prospects of suiting up against the Packers. As only Harbaugh - or perhaps Jim Irsay - could put it. It's now clear Smith is going to play this weekend, but how his triceps will respond to the double teams he's used to commanding is very much up in the air. We'd expect the Packers to run the ball right at Smith early and often in the first quarter Saturday.

49ers RE Justin Smith (triceps) returned to practice Thursday, sporting a brace on his left elbow. Barring a setback, Smith is expected to attempt to play through the injury in the Divisional Round of the playoffs next week. Considering the double teams he takes on while running stunts with Aldon Smith, it's fair to wonder just how effective he can be while playing through the injury.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is "hopeful" RE Justin Smith (triceps) will be ready for the Divisional Round. Smith himself has guaranteed he'll be back, but Harbaugh stopped well short of guaranteeing the anchor of his defensive line will be ready. "I think that depends on how Justin feels, where his strength is and how the doctors feel about it," Harbaugh said. Players rarely play through upper-arm injuries. We'd consider Smith no better than 50-50 to suit up this postseason.

RE Justin Smith (triceps) expects to be ready for the 49ers' first playoff game, even if they fail to earn a first-round bye. Most signs have pointed toward Smith being done for the season, but "Cowboy" himself sounds ready to buck up. However, even if Smith's triceps tear is as minor as possible, he'll be up against it to be effective in the postseason, let alone play. We should have a better grip on Smith's status by this time next week. He won't suit up for Sunday's regular season finale.

One orthopedic surgeon estimates that 49ers RE Justin Smith would need at least 12 weeks to regain "game readiness" in from his left triceps tear, even if over 50 percent of the muscle is intact. Keep in mind this orthopedist, Dr. David Chang, has not examined Smith up close and is simply formulating a guess based on experience. Smith had a bone spur detach from the triceps when he tore it on December 16. The 49ers have not yet placed him on injured reserve, but it's looking increasingly unlikely that Smith will be available again this season. "Even with a 50 percent tear, minimum time of healing is six weeks and rehab would have to ensue," Chang said. "So time back is not any shorter without surgery."

ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell says 49ers RE Justin Smith isn't "going to be full strength" again this season. "He's most likely either serviceable or he's done for the season. They will give him a chance to find out which it is," added Bell. Reports have Smith dealing with a partially torn triceps muscle, while other reports say that "a bone spur broke loose from Smith's triceps and remains in his left elbow." What we do know is that the San Francisco defense was exposed a great deal in the game and a half that Smith has missed.

A source tells the Sacramento Bee that 49ers RE Justin Smith has been diagnosed with a partially torn left triceps. Smith has been listed on the injury report for the past two weeks with an "elbow" injury while he hasn't put in any practices since suffering the original injury in Week 15 against the Patriots. If Smith indeed has a triceps tear, it will likely require offseason surgery. The 49ers and Smith are holding out hope that he can return for the playoff run. Ricky Jean-Francois started in his place in Week 16, and the defense was exposed by Marshawn Lynch in a rout.

Coach Jim Harbaugh admitted that he doesn't know if RE Justin Smith (elbow) will be back for the playoffs. Smith had started 185 straight games before Sunday night, so we know his injury is serious. The Seahawks proceeded to relentlessly attack backup Ricky Jean Francois and managed to limit the effect of Aldon Smith in the process. Marshawn Lynch ended up with 111 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, with much of that production coming over the right side.

49ers RE Justin Smith (elbow) is inactive for Week 16 against the Seahawks. Mario Manningham (shoulder) is active, however. The 49ers' No. 2 receiver is returning from a two-game absence. For Smith, the DNP ends a remarkable 195 consecutive games played streak. His loss is a huge blow for the 49ers' pass rush, particularly OLB Aldon Smith, who is pursuing the NFL's single-season sack record. Also inactive for the 49ers are LB Clark Haggans, WR AJ Jenkins, QB Scott Tolzien, G Joe Looney, S Trent Robinson and RB Jewel Hampton.

Appearing on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, Adam Schefter reported that 49ers RE Justin Smith (elbow) will not play on Sunday night in Seattle. Schefter added that Smith likely won't play in Week 17 against the Cardinals either, and the 49ers hope he'll be recovered enough to return for the playoffs. Ricky Jean-Francois will start at right end this week.