The San Francisco 49ers upgraded defensive end Justin Smith to probable Friday. Coach Jim Harbaugh had already said he expected Smith to play.
Smith missed the last two weeks of the regular season with a partially torn left triceps tendon. The tendon connects to the backside of the elbow and Smith will be required to wear a hollow carbon fiber brace, Sacremento Bee reporter Matt Barrows wrote. The brace is similar to the one worn by Ray Lewis and is meant to prevent a complete rupture.
Smith is known for his bullish strength and high-motor. We'll see how effective he can be considering the injury and brace limits that power.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.