Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) addresses the press during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the Baltimore Ravens at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl is getting closer every day. The San Francisco 49ers had a bittersweet practice. On one hand Ahmad Brooks returned to practice, albeit in a limited role, as he continues to struggle with a shoulder injury. The bitter part is on the other hand, Aldon Smith was limited in practice as well. We’ve included a full injury report for the 49ers below

The following players are battling injuries as well and fully participated in Wednesday’s practice:

• RB Frank Gore (shoulder, ankle)
• LB Patrick Willis (shoulder)
• RB LaMichael James (finger)
• OG Mike Iupati (shoulder)
• DT Justin Smith (elbow, triceps)
• CB Tarell Brown (shoulder)
• LB Navarro Bowman (shoulder)
• TE Garrett Celek (foot)
• RB Bruce Miller (shoulder)
• LB Clark Haggans (shoulder)

Both Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith are expected to play in the Super Bowl on Sunday.

But what has me curious is what’s going on in San Francisco that has so many players out with shoulder injuries?

Is it an equipment problem, are they using those single strap back packs of the 90s that cause so many problems and scoliosis outbreaks?

Maybe they just have learned to hit and tackle properly and aren’t leading with their head like a lot of NFL human missles, aka defensive players.

Either way, they aren’t battling two many injuries with the big game on the horizon.

Sep 16, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (88) takes off down the sideline after reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-34. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

The official inactives lists have been released by the participants of tonight’s Thursday Night Football showdown. Both teams — the Carolina Panthers and visiting New York Giants — will be without some key players on both sides of the ball. Who are the inactive players for tonight’s NFC showdown?

New York Giants Inactives

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB — Hakeem Nicks, WR — David Diehl, OT — Domenik Hixon, WR — Adrien Robinson, TE — Adewale Ojomo, DE — Michael Coe, CB

Carolina Panthers Inactives

Jonathan Stewart, RB — Mike Pollak, OG — Byron Bell, OT — Jimmy Clausen, QB — Thomas Davis, LB — Sione Fua, DL — Colin Jones, DB

Tune in to the NFL Network for tonight’s action and check back with NFLSpinZone.com for the latest news and highlights of the primetime contest.

Jul 27, 2012; Mankato, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) poses for pictures at training camp at Blakeslee Stadium at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

NFL teams have released their final practice reports and injury reports for week 1 of the season. The Friday practice reports can often be among the most important as they give the biggest indication on how healthy or close a player is to taking the field. Here is this week’s injury report for the Jacksonville Jaguars at Minnesota Vikings matchup:

Jan 1, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) receives attention from a trainer after suffering an injury while defending a touchdown pass attempt by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field. Urlacher sprained his MCL in his left knee on the play. The Bears won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-US PRESSWIRE

NFL teams have released their final practice reports and injury reports for week 1 of the season. The Friday practice reports can often be among the most important as they give the biggest indication on how healthy or close a player is to taking the field. Here is this week’s injury report for the Indianapolis Colts at Chicago Bears matchup:

Aug 11, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs out of the tunnel before the start of the game against the Houston Texans at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

NFL teams have released their final practice reports and injury reports for week 1 of the season. The Friday practice reports can often be among the most important as they give the biggest indication on how healthy or close a player is to taking the field. Here is this week’s injury report for the Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers matchup:

Nov 27, 2011; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE

NFL teams have released their final practice reports and injury reports for week 1 of the season. The Friday practice reports can often be among the most important as they give the biggest indication on how healthy or close a player is to taking the field. Here is this week’s injury report for the Buffalo Bills at New York Jets matchup:

Sept. 19, 2010; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) celebrates with fans after a 16-14 win over the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Miller-US PRESSWIRE

NFL teams have released their final practice reports and injury reports for week 1 of the season. The Friday practice reports can often be among the most important as they give the biggest indication on how healthy or close a player is to taking the field. Here is this week’s injury report for the Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs matchup:

July 30, 2012; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) enters the field on opening day of training camp. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

The 2012-13 NFL regular season will kick off in three days with a big time matchup between NFC East rivals — the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. Both teams have some injury concerns leading in to the big week one matchup and the NFL has released the early practice report for both team’s that will be featured in the first game of the season.

The Cowboys practice report is highlighted by tight end Jason Witten and cornerback Mike Jenkins who were both limited in practice and Jay Ratliff who did not practice. Wide receivers Miles Austin and Dez Bryant, linbebacker DeMarcus Ware and running back DeMarco Murray all fully participated.

For the Giants, cornerback Prince Amukamara and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks were held out of practice. Here is the full practice report for Sunday:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – OUT — Myron Lewis, CB (ankle), Sammie Stroughter, WR (foot) — QUESTIONABLE — James Lee, OT (knee) — PROBABLE — Da’Quan Bowers, DE (shoulder)

Minnesota Vikings – QUESTIONABLE – Adrian Awasom, DE (knee), E.J. Henderson, LB (knee) — PROBABLE – Asher Allen, CB (toe), Michael Jenkins, WR (groin)

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Chicago Bears vs. New Orleans Saints

Chicago Bears — OUT – Marion Barber, RB (calf) – DOUBTFUL – Chris Harris, S (hamstring), Lance Louis, OG (ankle) –QUESTIONABLE – Roy Williams, WR (groin), Corey Wootton, DE (knee) — PROBABLE — Zackary Bowman, CB (hamstring), Sam Hurd, WR (ankle)

New Orleans Saints — OUT — Marques Colston, WR (shoulder), Garrett Hartley, K (right hip) — QUESTIONABLE — Roman Harper, S (ankle), Tom Johnson, DT (calf), Lance Moore, WR (groin), Tracy Porter, CB (calf) — PROBABLE –Carl Nicks, OG (illness)

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