SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Frank Gore’s injured right knee has healed enough to practice on and the two-time Pro Bowl running back expects to play for the San Francisco 49ers when they host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Gore said Thursday that he hyperextended his knee against the New York Giants last Sunday. He expects to play against the Cardinals “and play good.”
Gore’s franchise-record streak of five games with 100 or more yards rushing ended last week against the Giants when he was hurt. He had zero yards on six carries his first career game without a yard. Gore has 7,196 career yards rushing and needs 149 more to pass late Hall of Famer Joe Perry (7,344) for the most in 49ers history.
Vick sits out practice again; status uncertain
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick didn’t practice for the second straight day Thursday because of broken ribs, and it remains uncertain whether the Pro Bowl quarterback will play when the Philadelphia Eagles visit the New York Giants on Sunday night.
Vick broke his two lower ribs on the second play of the Eagles’ 21-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday. He didn’t tell anyone he was hurt and played through the pain.
Vince Young likely would start if Vick can’t go.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (ankle), wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) and offensive lineman King Dunlap (concussion) also missed Thursday’s practice.
Around the league
RAVENS:Wide receiver Lee Evans can’t say whether he will be back on the field Sunday when Baltimore faces Cincinnati Bengals in a showdown for a piece of first place in the AFC North. The eight-year pro played in the first two games but has missed the past seven with a left ankle injury. Evans has only two catches for 45 yards, both in a loss to Tennessee in Week 2.
Evans spent seven seasons with Buffalo before coming to Baltimore in August for a fourth-round pick in 2012.
PANTHERS: Carolina tight end Jeremy Shockey missed his second straight day of practice with a rib injury, but coach Ron Rivera is “optimistic” Shockey will play Sunday at Detroit. Shockey has 24 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown.
SEAHAWKS: Seattle rookie right tackle James Carpenter is lost for the season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in practice Wednesday.The Seahawks’ first-round pick out of Alabama, Carpenter had started all nine games.
BILLS: Stevie Johnson has returned to practice on a limited basis, though coach Chan Gailey says it’s too early to determine whether Buffalo’s leading receiver’s injured left shoulder will be healed in time to play at Miami on Sunday.
PACKERS: Suspended Green Bay defensive lineman Johnny Jolly was sentenced to six years in prison for violating the terms of his probation on a drug charge. Jolly was charged with possession of a compound containing codeine and tampering with evidence after a traffic stop in October. It was his third drug arrest in three years.
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