49ers insider Matt Maiocco reports that RB Frank Gore will undergo "minor" finger surgery.  He suffered -- and played through -- the injury in Sunday's NFC Championship Game.  Gore won't play in the Pro Bowl, but the rest of his offseason shouldn't be impacted.  He'll return as San Francisco's lead back in 2014, but turning 31 in May, Gore's workload figures to be reduced.  He averaged a career-low 4.1 yards per carry this past year.

49ers FB Bruce Miller is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a shoulder blade injury suffered this past weekend.  Miller sits 4th among FBs in Pro Football Focus' blocking rankings, so it's a significant loss for RB Frank Gore.  Luckily, he gets Atlanta's 28th-ranked run defense this Sunday.  Gore remains a must-start for that one.  The loss of Miller is worth keeping in mind, though, if you play Week 17 (vs. Arizona) or in a playoff fantasy league.

49ers RB Frank Gore ripped off 7.5 yards per carry against the Colts on Sunday.  But he toted it just 11 times, including just 3 times in the 2nd half.  Gore reportedly confronted HC Jim Harbaugh about his workload after the game -- "choice words" was how insider Kevin Lynch described it.  With the passing game struggling, the 'Niners need to recommit to the run.  Expect to see plenty of Gore against the Rams on Thursday night.

49ers RB Frank Gore was held to just 44 yards on 21 carries by the Packers last week.  Green Bay sold out to stop San Francisco's ground game.  They did, but QB Colin Kaepernick torched them through the air.   Gore believes Kaep's performance will open up running room against the Seahawks this Sunday night.  Seattle allowed 5.1 yards per carry to Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams in Week 1.  Stick with Gore as a RB2 this week.

49ers RB Frank Gore hit the dreaded age-30 this offseason.  But no one around the team sees him slowing down anytime soon.  "He's still got some youth left in him," RBs coach Tom Rathman said. "Look at him when he runs. He still has the same moves as he's always had. He's a tremendous football player with great passion and desire to be one of the best."  Added RT Anthony Davis, "If you look at him on the field, he looks like a rookie. Coaches have to pull him out of drills. He's trying to impress himself."  Gore's 4.7 yards-per-carry average last season was his best mark in 3 years.  He worked out this offseason both with the team and on his own in Florida, looking to fight off Father Time.  Even if Gore starts slowing down, a healthy workload and San Fran's read-option offense should keep him in RB2 territory.

49ers WR Michael Crabtree went down with what's believed to be a torn Achilles in OTAs on Tuesday.  He's undergoing additional tests to confirm.  If the Achilles is torn, it would cost Crabtree most -- if not all -- of the 2013 season.  We saw Terrell Suggs return from the same injury in just a few months last year, but it's tougher for receivers, who are constantly starting and stopping.  Demaryius Thomas was back on the practice field 7 months after tearing his Achilles in 2011.  That timeline would have Crabtree out until mid December.  It's a major blow to San Fran's passing game. Crab broke out with an 85-1,105-9 line last year.  He saw 34% of Colin Kaepernick's throws.  That's a massive hole to fill.  Free-agent addition Anquan Boldin can help pick up the slack.  TE Vernon Davis' role should grow too.  And the 'Niners need to get more out of 2012 1st-rounder A.J. Jenkins.  Mario Manningham is still around, but he's recovering from last year's torn ACL.  San Fran will need to rely even more heavily on its ground game in 2013.  That means more work for Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James.  Kaepernick could take on a bigger rushing role too.  We'll have our projections for all the 49ers up on the site in just a few weeks!

49ers RB Frank Gore turns 30 today.  That number is often a death knell for RBs.  Especially ones with Gore's injury history and career workload.  That adds meaning to GM Trent Baalke's recent comments about his ideal backfield.  "I'm a big believer -- we are big believers -- in a three-headed approach," Baalke said. "In other words, having a group of backs that bring to the table something a little bit different than the other one so you can do a lot of different things. But also having those backs be able to do enough things the same so you don't become so predictable on game day."  The 49ers have been building depth in their backfield lately, adding Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Marcus Lattimore in the last 3 drafts.  If Gore can avoid the cliff, he'll remain San Fran's lead back in 2013.  And a burgeoning offense and elite offensive line will help his cause.  But he might not see the 250+ carries he's received the past 2 seasons. 

As expected, 49ers RB Frank Gore (ribs) is active for tonight's game against the Cardinals.  He admits last week's rib injury was the most painful thing he's ever experienced.  But Gore put in a full week of practice this week and is expected to see his normal workload tonight.

49ers RB Frank Gore (ribs) put in a full week of practice. From the looks of it, his rib injury is far less severe than the one that Cleveland's Trent Richardson has been dealing with. Gore should see his normal workload against the Cardinals on Monday night. He's a solid RB2.

49ers RB Frank Gore (ribs) put in a full practice on Thursday.  It looks like his rib problem isn't nearly as severe as Trent Richardson's.  Gore still carries a bit more risk than usual this week, but he should be in fantasy lineups as a RB2 for Monday night's game against the Cardinals.

49ers RB Frank Gore (ribs) confirmed that he fully expects to play against the Cardinals in Week 8.  "The X-ray was looking good, and I'll take it one day at a time," he said.  Gore played through the injury for most of Thursday night's game against the Seahawks but was sidelined for San Fran's final offensive possession.  Gore will have had 11 days off when the Niners take on the Cardinals next Monday night.  But Trent Richardson reminded us this past weekend how difficult it can be for RBs to play through rib injuries.  It wouldn't be surprising to see the impressive Kendall Hunter take on a bigger role going forward.  We'll continue to keep an eye on Gore's status.

49ers RB Frank Gore bruised his ribs during Thursday night's game against the Seahawks.  Gore said it happened late in the 2nd quarter.  He touched the ball 12 times in the 2nd half, although he was on the sidelines for San Fran's final possession.  X-rays on the ribs came back negative afterwards, and Gore confirmed that he's "fine."  The situation will be worth monitoring leading up to Week 8, but with the extra time to rest, Gore should be ready for a Monday night game against the Cardinals.

After adding RBs Brandon Jacobs and LaMichael James to go alone with Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter, the 49ers' backfield is awfully crowded.  But Gore is preparing for the 2012 season as if he'll remain a workhorse.  "I feel I still can do everything pretty good: catch, run and block. I'm going to do what I've always been doing," Gore said. "As long as I'm healthy and in great shape and ready to play, I'm going to be the Frank Gore I've always been."  Although he dealt with nagging injuries for much of last season, Gore played in all 16 games and finished with the 2nd-highest rushing total of his career (1,211 yards).  But at 29 years old, Gore would benefit from a slightly-reduced workload.  After finishing with 299 touches last year, expect him to settle in closer to 250 in 2012.

49ers RB Frank Gore reportedly suffered a right leg injury in the 4th quarter of Sunday's win over the Saints.  Remember that he dealt with right knee and ankle issues during the season.  It doesn't sound like Gore is in any danger of missing this weekend's game against the Giants though.  "I feel good," he said.  "I'll do whatever it takes to get to the Super Bowl."  We'll have another update after the 'Niners practice on Wednesday.

49ers HC Jim Harbaugh admits that RB Frank Gore is still playing at less than 100%.  He's dealt with a couple ankle injuries and knee issues throughout the season.  He carried just 10 times against the Cardinals on Sunday, although he did bust off 72 yards.  "He's got some things," Harbaugh said. "He's not 100 percent. And we have other backs who got carries in the second half."  While the 'Niners are still battling for playoff position, they'll likely continue to limit Gore's touches the rest of the regular season.  He's just a RB2 in tough matchups against the Steelers and Seahawks these next 2 weeks.

As expected, 49ers RB Frank Gore (ankle, knee) is active for today's game against the Rams.  He's a must-start in a dream matchup.

49ers RB Frank Gore (ankle) was limited in practice all week but is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Rams.  He's a must-start against the league's 29th-ranked RB defense.

49ers RB Frank Gore (knee, ankle) is probable for Thursday night's game against the Ravens.  He received 25 touches last week and came away unscathed.  Expect another 20+ outing tomorrow, although a matchup with the 6th-ranked RB defense makes Gore more of a RB2.

As expected, 49ers RB Frank Gore (knee, ankle) is active for today's game against the Cardinals.  While neither injury is serious, the 'Niners are expected to scale back Gore's workload.  We could see something like a 60:40 split in favor of Gore over RB Kendall Hunter.  If you own both guys, we'd still start Gore.

49ers RB Frank Gore (knee, ankle) is listed as questionable but is fully expected to play against the Cardinals on Sunday.  He put in limited practices on Thursday and Friday.  The 'Niners are expected to scale back his workload a bit, but Gore is still worth starting as a RB2.  Kendall Hunter will likely mix in for 8-12 touches.