More bad news on the injury front for the 49ers. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Mario Manningham's MRI results today showed tears in the ACL and PCL of his left knee. That obviously will end the wide receiver's season, making him the fourth player - and the third significant offensive contributor - to have his season end in the last month.
Running back Kendall Hunter and receiver Kyle Williams were injured on the same play Nov. 25 and subsequently placed on injured reserve. Defensive end Demarcus Dobbs injured a knee and also went on injured reserve. Meanwhile, defensive end Justin Smith is dealing with an arm injury, and the 49ers aren't sure if he'll be ready to contribute for the playoffs. The postseason could start a week earlier than the team had hoped after the 49ers gave up the No. 2 seed with their loss to the Seahawks.
Manningham was part of an offseason push by the 49ers to augment their meager 2011 receiving corps. The former New York Giant started 10 games this season but had missed the previous two contests with a shoulder injury. Randy Moss has taken on an increased workload as a result. He's had 10 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown in the last four games after having five catches in the previous five games combined. Moss has been lightly used until this point in the season, and if the 49ers want to go deep into the playoffs, they likely will have to rely on the 14-year veteran.
Ted Ginn and first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins also will have to step forward. Ginn, who was one of the players Jim Harbaugh included this summer when he considered the 49ers to have five No. 1 receivers, is having the quietest season of his career. He has two catches for one yard and his most prominent play occurred on the botched pitch and fumble against the Rams.
Jenkins only has been in on a handful of plays and has yet to see a pass come his way. He was inactive on Sunday. Practice-squad players Ricardo Lockette and Chad Hall also are possibilities to the active roster. The 49ers promoted Joe Hastings to the active roster at this point last year. They had wanted to avoid making similar moves this year.
-- Matt Barrows
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