49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith has undergone an MRI on his injured arm. And coach Jim Harbaugh is saying nothing about what it revealed.
“It’s really going to be how he is today, tomorrow, Wednesday, before we know anything,” Harbaugh told reporters on Monday.
The 49ers are obligated to provide no information about Smith’s availability until Wednesday. Then, they’ll be required only to say whether and to what extent he was prevented from practicing. On Friday, the 49ers will apply one of the various labels to Smith -- doubtful, questionable, probable, etc.
The Niners need Smith, if they hope to nail down the No. 2 seed in the NFC and the bye that goes along with it. On Sunday night, the San Fran defense wasn’t the same without Smith.
They’ll need the defense to be the same and then some if the Niners hope to win in Seattle.