San Francisco defensive end Justin Smith has a partially torn left triceps, according to a Sacramento Bee report, citing a source with knowledge of the injury.
Smith, who was selected to his third straight Pro Bowl on Wednesday, was hurt in the third quarter of a Dec. 16 game against the New England Patriots. His injury has been listed as “elbow” on the team’s injury reports.
He tried to return in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t. While surgery is a likely offseason option, the team hopes Smith can return for the playoffs. The 49ers would earn a first-round bye if they beat the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday and the Green Bay Packers lose to the Minnesota Vikings.