49ers uncertain if Dee Ford will be available for Vikings playoff game

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SANTA CLARA -- 49ers defensive end Dee Ford went through limited practice and received more than an hour of treatment on his bothersome hamstring after practice.

The condition has limited Ford to just four snaps in the past six games, and on Thursday, the 49ers listed him as questionable for Saturday’s NFC divisional-round playoff meeting with the Minnesota Vikings.

The last time Ford suited up for a game, he felt tightness in the hamstring and still tried to play. He lasted just four snaps in the 49ers' Dec. 8 game against the New Orleans Saints before going on the shelf for the final three regular-season contests.

“We’re trying to be smarter about it. I don’t know if that’s the right word. And I think Dee is, also,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s tough for athletes in these situations. They want to play, no matter what. And when we look back at New Orleans, I think Dee was a little tight before the game.”

Shanahan said the experience of Ford aggravating his hamstring injury will be taken into account when it is time Saturday morning to make a decision whether he will suit up to play against the Vikings. Ford had 6.5 sacks in 11 games and is a huge part of the 49ers' pass rush.

In New Orleans, Ford felt as if he could play. He was wrong.

“He thought he could go, and the way Dee Ford comes off the ball, his fourth play of the game, he came off hard and he tweaked his hamstring again,” Shanahan said. “So now we can look back and Dee can learn from that and I can learn from that, too. I hope Dee, if he feels that tight, can come tell me. Now I know from that history of what happened in New Orleans, if he’s feeling like that, I know what that means.”

Ford and defensive lineman Kentavius Street were the only 49ers to end up on the status report for Saturday’s game. Street also is listed as questionable.

Street was activated before the 49ers’ Week 15 game against the Atlanta Falcons after spending the first three months of the season on injured reserve because of a knee injury. Street saw action in the final three regular-season games and had four tackles as a rotational player.

[RELATED: 49ers don't expect Kwon to play every snap]

Linebacker Kwon Alexander will be activated off injured reserve to play in the game. He has been out since sustaining a torn pectoral on Oct. 31. The 49ers must make a corresponding roster move by Friday at 1 p.m.

Jaquiski Tartt, who missed the final four games of the regular season with fractured ribs, is not listed on the status report. He will return to his starting role at strong safety.

Guard Mike Person missed the past two games with a neck condition but is fully cleared. Shanahan said he is not sure whether Person or Daniel Brunskill will start Saturday.

49ers injury report

Questionable
DL Dee Ford (quadricep, hamstring)
DL Kentavius Street (knee)

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