Walker's playoffs in doubt

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SANTA CLARA -- Tight end Delanie Walker's availability for the 49ers in the playoffs is in serious doubt after sustaining a broken jaw in two places in the 49ers' Dec. 24 game at Seattle.Walker, a sixth-year pro, was cleared on Wednesday to return to the team's practice facility but just for light conditioning work. It appears unlikely Walker will be available for the playoffs."It's emotional," Walker said Friday in his first comments since the injury. "First time in the playoffs and I get hurt, and not being able to play. Kind of hurts. But our team is doing well, and I'm recovering the way I want to recover, so who knows?"Walker said he is just taking his recovery day by day.
"I'm recovering good," he said. "I don't want to say I can come back or not."Walker's jaw was wired shut for nearly two weeks to prevent him from talking. The wires were loosened this week to allow him to talk and begin eating solid foods.After two weeks of a liquid diet consisting of protein shakes and soups, Walker has started eating fruits and pasta, he said.Walker's jaw was broken just below his ear and near the chin on the left side of his face. He sustained the injury when Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill tried to jump over him and accidentally kneed him in the side of the head. Walker did not sustain a concussion.

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