49ers ILB Patrick Willis (groin) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday night's game in St. Louis.

It's a hopeful designation, as Willis didn't practice all week and is just four days removed from going down. Even if he's active, there's no way he'd play a full complement of snaps.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (groin) is "hopeful" he'll be ready for Thursday night's game against the Rams.

Despite Willis' optimism, the odds are very slim he'll be ready for San Francisco's venture into the central time zone. The 49ers simply have nothing to gain by declaring him "out" two days ahead of time. We expect Willis to sit, and for Michael Wilhoite to fill in. It's a massive downgrade for a Niners team that's on the ropes.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (groin) is undergoing an MRI on Monday, and is not expected to be available for Thursday night's game against the Rams.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has yet to officially rule Willis out, but the odds are slim-to-none that he's ready to return after just three days. Michael Wilhoite filled in for Willis on Sunday, and would likely start against the Rams.

Patrick Willis was not wearing a glove or extra padding on his broken right hand during Wednesday's practice.

Willis has full clearance to play in Sunday's showdown with the 49ers. The six-time Pro Bowler (in six NFL seasons) is practicing in full. Willis comes in at No. 6 in our Week 1 IDP rankings, behind only Luke Kuechly, Chad Greenway, teammate Navorro Bowman, Paul Posluszny and Sean Lee.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (broken hand) has resumed practicing, and remains on pace to start in next week's opener.

Coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed as much Tuesday. Willis has missed just four games in six seasons.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis will require surgery on his slightly fractured right hand.

He'll be sidelined "only a few weeks" and is expected back in "plenty of time" for the regular season opener. An injury like this is far less concerning for a player of Willis' track record and caliber. He's also played through broken hands before. Less camp time may even help Willis with fresher early-season legs.

Patrick Willis has been diagnosed with a slight fracture in his right hand but is fully expected to be ready for Week 1.

Willis sustained the injury when he collided with FB Britt Miller during a blitz pickup drill Wednesday. It's nothing new. Way back in 2005 while in college, Willis played most of the season with a cast on his right hand due to a broken finger. In 2007 with the Niners, he didn't miss any games with a broken right hand and won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He broke the same hand again in 2010 and played two full games before sitting out of a meaningless finale. Willis will take it easy in camp, but there's no reason to downgrade him on IDP boards.

Patrick Willis is headed for X-rays after sustaining a right hand injury during Wednesday's practice.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis agreed to a small contract restructure, converting $1.687 million of his scheduled $2.4 million salary into a "signing" bonus.

The move pushes a small amount of cap space into 2014, and Willis' new base salary of $715,000 is now fully guaranteed. The 49ers now have $2.15 million in 2013 salary cap room. Willis is signed relatively cheaply through 2016 and is still only 28 years old. He's been a Pro Bowler in each of his six NFL seasons.

Patrick Willis (ankle) practiced fully in Wednesday's practice.

The fact that he's practicing in full bodes well for his chances of suiting up on Sunday in a strong IDP matchup against the run-heavy Jets. If he plays, we like him as a rock solid LB1.

The 49ers are not concerned over the ankle injuries sustained by Patrick Willis and Isaac Sopoaga in Week 3.

X-rays came back clean and Willis was spotted walking around the team hotel without a limp. "It turned out good for both of those guys," coach Jim Harbaugh said. Even if Willis misses some practice time, he appears on track to play against the Jets Sunday.

Patrick Willis has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle, but the 49ers do not "consider the injury to be serious."

Patrick Willis left the 49ers' Week 3 loss to the Vikings in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

The 49ers did not update Willis' status after the game, but he was not spotted limping in the locker room. The damage is reportedly on his lower right side. Willis will be reevaluated Monday.

Patrick Willis (hamstring) returned to the lineup in Week 17.

Willis was admittedly rusty and uncharacteristically struggled to get off blocks, but the key was getting through the game healthy. Now he'll have two weeks to prepare for the Niners' playoff opener. Willis recorded a career-low 97 tackles in 13 games this season.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (hamstring) is expected to be available for Week 17 if the team needs him.

The Niners may believe they can beat the Rams without risking Willis aggravating the hamstring injury, however. Willis has been out since December 4.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (hamstring) returned to the practice field on Thursday.

He was wearing shells with taped-up cleats, a sign that he would join teammates in at least a limited practice. CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco expects Willis to be a game-time decision for Saturday at Seattle.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (hamstring) offered no timetable for his return when speaking to reporters Tuesday.

Willis said he's "trying to be smart" and will heed the instructions of the 49ers' medical staff. Willis hasn't played since Week 12, but the Niners are 2-1 in his absence. They face a hot Seahawks team on the road in Week 16.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis was again held out of practice on Saturday.

Official word will come later this afternoon, but Willis won't be playing against the Steelers on Monday Night Football. The Sacramento Bee's Matt Barrows believes Willis' status for Week 16 is now in doubt.

49ers ILB Patrick Willis (hamstring) is not expected to play against the Steelers on Monday Night Football.

Larry Grant will get another start after racking up 11 tackles and a pass breakup in last week's loss to the Cardinals. "I don't look at it as resting him. He's rehabbing," said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in regard to Willis' recovery. "So when he's healthy, he'll be playing."

49ers declared LB Patrick Willis, QB Scott Tolzien, WR Brett Swain, FB Moran Norris, OG Daniel Kilgore, OG Mike Person, NT Ian Williams inactive for Week 14 against the Cardinals.