Isaac

Sopoaga

The fourth-round pick made waves at the NFL combine for being one of the strongest collegiate players available.

Coach Dennis Erickson said the team will consider placing him on injured reserve, thus ending his season.

Undersized NT Ricky Jean-Francois will start and LaGarrette Blount gets a bump for the favorable matchup. QB Scott Tozien, FB Moran Norris, WR Braylon Edwards, OL Michael Person, OL Daniel Kilgore, and CB Tramaine Brock join him on the inactive list.

The Niners have yet to expand on details about Sopoaga’s condition, other than to confirm that he has an infection and is out indefinitely. Ricky Jean-Francois started for Sopoaga in Sunday’s demolition of the Buccaneers. Jean-Francois played every single snap, recording three tackles (two solo).

Jacobs and Sopoaga were both full participants, while Ginn is absent from the injury report. Jacobs has yet to play this season, but is on track to return Sunday. Ginn’s participation would suggest he had no significant setbacks in his return to the lineup last week. Sopoaga missed the 49ers’ Week 4 contest, but should be ready to roll against the Bills.

Sopoaga was walking without a limp on Monday, and sounds like he’ll be a go for Sunday’s visit to the Meadowlands. Ricky Jean-Francois would get the call if Sopoaga couldn’t suit up against the Jets.

X-rays came back clean and Willis was spotted walking around the team hotel without a limp. “It turned out good for both of those guys,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. Even if Willis misses some practice time, he appears on track to play against the Jets Sunday.

Sopoaga went down in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. He’ll be reevaluated Monday. Ricky Jean-Francois is Sopoaga’s backup.

The Niners’ dominant defense didn’t miss Sopoaga in Week 5 with Ricky Jean-Francois filling in. He should be back to help contain Jahvid Best in what may be the week’s most attractive matchup.

The area of the staph infection is unknown, but Sopoaga was held out of practice Wednesday. His absence could be a bit of a matchup boost for LeGarrette Blount in Week 5. Undersized Ricky Jean-Francois is Sopoaga’s backup.