Ricky

Jean Francois

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).

McDonald sat out the final two and a half quarters of Sunday’s win over the Browns. He notched a sack before going down, and was replaced by Ricky Jean-Francois. McDonald’s three sacks are good for fourth on the 49ers.

McDonald normally plays just about every down, but he was hobbled by his latest hamstring strain. Backup Ricky Jean-Francois saw 36 snaps. McDonald was one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in football this season.

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.

Sopoaga has spent his entire nine-year career with the Niners. However, in 2012, he was phased out of the defense and only started nine games, making 27 tackles. Sopoaga would have to take a drastic pay cut from his 2012 salary of $3.8 million to return. Jean-Francois is younger and more versatile, and the team wants bring him back. He just isn’t a realistic starting option on the nose.

It’s not a coincidence that much of the Patriots’ furious comeback attempt Sunday night came after Smith went down. Backup Ricky Jean-Francois did come up with a big sack at the 5:05 mark of the fourth quarter to help seal the win.

Smith is staring at missing his first ever game at any level. The 33-year-old, 12-year veteran did not practice at all during the week after suffering the injury in last week’s win over the Patriots. Ricky Jean-Francois is fully expected to start in Smith’s absence.

Rapoport’s advice came in a tossed-off reply on Twitter, but it’s the second team Jean-Francois has been linked to in the past two days. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Monday that the Packers are interested. The Sideline View’s Adam Caplan believes as many as 5-6 teams could pursue the reserve D-lineman. It’s looking like Jean-Francois has played his last snap in San Francisco.

Add another to the list of suitors for Jean-Francois. The 6-foot-3, 295-pound 26-year-old lineman is a hot commodity. Cleveland could be in the market for someone to play on the three-man front with Phil Taylor and Ahtyba Rubin.