Daily Madden: The 49ers Defense Fights Through Injuries
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The 49ers have lost All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis for the season. He announced Tuesday he'll have surgery on his injured big toe after missing the last three games.
"You had to know that something was wrong when he kept missing games," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "A guy like Patrick Willis doesn't not suit up, doesn't not play, if there's not something there that he can't get through or get over. And the longer that he didn't play, the more serious you had to believe that that was."
Madden said toe injuries can be debilitating.
"You take toes and fingers for granted until you hurt one of them. And then when you hurt one of them you realize how much you use them. Your big toe you use every step you take, every move you make... It just kind of crippled Patrick Willis."
The 49ers were already missing All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who was injured at the end of last season. It's still not clear when he'll return.
"They really haven't had Willis in darn near a month, they haven't had Bowman all year," Madden said. "They're just learning to play without those guys. And the defense has really been playing pretty well."
One piece of good news for the 49ers: suspended outside linebacker Aldon Smith has been reinstated and is expected to play in Sunday's game against the New York Giants. (6:50)
Daily Madden
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 and Monday and Friday mornings at 9:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)
