SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis will miss the remainder of the season and require surgery for a strained muscle in his left big toe.
Willis was placed on the season-ending injured reserve list Tuesday for the injury suffered in the third quarter at St. Louis on Oct. 13.
“It’s very frustrating,” Willis said. “My teammates mean everything to me and I want to be out there experiencing all the good times and all the rough times with them.”
A Pro Bowler all seven seasons in the NFL, Willis had missed six games in his career before this latest injury sidelined him for the final 10 games in 2014 for San Francisco (5-4). He had 34 tackles and an interception this season for the Niners.
Willis is a captain and leader of a 49ers team that has reached the NFC championship game in each of the past three seasons.
“We haven’t lost him in the locker room,” linebacker Michael Wilhoite said. “We’re still all together here. It hurts but at same time we need to keep going out and win games.”
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Willis had hoped the injury wasn’t so serious to sideline him long term. He missed practice last week after returning in a limited role the previous week.
“This is something I have been dealing with for a long time now,” Willis said. “I want to get it done so I can get back to rehabbing and get back to form.”
Willis indicated his toe has been bothering him for several years and that he continued to play as long as he could stand the pain.
“I always think I can do more than I’m supposed to and tried to compensate,” Willis said. “Sometimes guys are hurting, and hurting bad, and still go out and play. You could say I should have done this earlier, before I hurt it worse against the Rams.”
After resting through the Oct. 26 bye, Willis was back as part of the 49ers’ full active squad on the field for the start of practice Oct. 29, but he had been limited primarily to individual work.
“I felt, maybe just give it a couple of weeks but it just didn’t get better,” Willis said. “I feel like I have five or six years left in my body so I have to think about the big picture. I promise you when I come back I will be bigger and better than I was.”
This is a big loss to one of the NFL’s leading defenses, though the 49ers are expected to have Aldon Smith back Sunday on the road against the New York Giants.
“Hopefully I can get in there and play as much as I have,” Smith said. “I want to stay strong, keep my eyes on the prize and I’m ready to do that.”
Smith is set to begin practicing this week after serving his nine-game suspension by the NFL for violations of the league’s substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.
“I did everything that was necessary,” Smith said. “I’ve learned a lot and ready to move forward.”
In addition, 2013 All-Pro NaVorro Bowman could be cleared to begin practice this week, opening a 21-day window for the team to activate him or place him on IR.
Bowman is recovering from surgery on his left knee after he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in a devastating injury in the NFC championship game loss at Seattle last January.
Rookie Chris Borland has filled in for Willis and been spectacular, recording 18 tackles in a loss to the Rams two weeks ago then 17 more tackles in an overtime win at New Orleans on Sunday.
“I’m truly proud of the way he’s playing,” Willis said. “He’s gone out and held down that position.”
The NFL Network first reported Willis would need toe surgery.
The Niners signed running back Alfonso Smith to replace Willis on the roster and added linebacker Shayne Skov to the practice squad.
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