As the clock nears a deadline to determine whether or not he will play for the first time in 14 months, Daniel Kilgore made clear on Wednesday his desire to suit up before the 2015 season concludes.
"I'd like to have something to build off of for the offseason and see where I am," Kilgore said. "It's been over a year now, and I've been doing all this training, so I'd like to do something."
The 49ers opened Kilgore's 21-day practice window on Nov. 16. He spent the first two months of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform List after undergoing two surgeries to repair a leg fracture he suffered on Oct. 19, 2014 versus the Denver Broncos.
San Francisco must active Kilgore to the 53-man roster by Monday or else he will be moved onto the season-ending Injured Reserve List.
Kilgore has been full-go at practice, taking most of his snaps with Dylan Thompson and the second-team offense. Although the center understands that the decision lies with San Francisco's medical staff, he told reporters he has felt no discomfort since rejoining the team.
"There's no soreness, I'm ready to go," Kilgore said. "The ball is in their court, really. See what they think and their judgment and see how things pan out with the roster. We'll go from there."
The 49ers next play on Sunday on the road against the Chicago Bears. Marcus Martin has started the team's first 11 games of the season at center. Kilgore started seven games in 2014 before sustaining the injury.
San Francisco does not have to wait until Monday to active Kilgore, so the 27-year-old is preparing this week as if he will play in Chicago.
"That's with everybody on the team, regardless of if you're a starter or not," Kilgore said. "You prepare for that week because you never know when you're number is going to be called. You have to be on top of your game and be ready."
Kilgore allowed one sack but was not penalized in his seven starts in 2014.
Rookie wide receiver DeAndre Smelter also faces a Monday deadline for being placed on the active roster. The fourth-round pick has been rehabbing a torn ACL he sustained during his senior season at Georgia Tech.
