Davis (concussion) Status Uncertain vs. Cardinals

Derick Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis practiced on Friday after suffering a concussion last week against the Seattle Seahawks. Though, the 28-year-old tight end still doesn’t sound optimistic about his ability to play on Sunday in the team’s season-finale against the Arizona Cardinals.

Davis sustained the concussion in the first half of Sunday night’s crushing loss to Seattle when Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor delivered a crushing blow to the veteran tight end. The hit was consequently flagged with a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness (hitting a defenseless receiver).

“It was pretty brutal,” Davis said. “I don’t think it was legal, no. I saw it on the news, but I didn’t really go in and look at it. I don’t want to see it.”

On Friday, Davis practiced with a black non-contact jersey and went through on-field activities. He still must clear a simulated contact test before doctors can clear him to play against the Cardinals on Sunday. Currently, he is listed as questionable.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh had a moment to sound off on Davis’ status before Sunday’s game, stating that he was “on course” to play. Though, he could be overstating his tight end’s progress (like he tends to do on injured players) as to deceive the Cardinals.

The loss of Davis could serve as a big blow for the 49ers, who are already without wide receivers Mario Manningham (torn ACL and PCL) and Kyle Williams (torn ACL) for the rest of the season.

In an effort to replace their depleted wide receiving core, the Niners will likely target Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss, who’ve combined to reel in 103 catches on the season, almost exclusively. Backup tight end Delanie Walker and rookie wide receiver A.J. Jenkins could also serve a bigger role for San Francisco in Sunday’s game against Arizona. It would be Jenkins first NFL start.

Davis has yet to be a factor on the stat sheet this season, accruing only five receptions in the last five games. But because he’s still a legitimate playmaker, his presence on the field still draws double teams on a consistent basis.

Watch for Harbaugh to ease up on his starting tight end before they make their push in the playoffs.