Joe Staley anticipates he'll be in the starting lineup this Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
The two-time Pro Bowl left tackle was injured last week against the St. Louis Rams and did not finish the game. Staley, however, feels like his MCL sprain is "not severe at all."
"They thought I had done some damage to it, but all the results came back positive," Staley told 95.7 The Game.
San Francisco's blindside protector was limited at Thursday's practice, a good sign that he could re-join teammates on Sunday.
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"We'll see how it responds day-to-day, but yesterday was a good day," Staley said. "I was out there on the practice field, did some individual stuff, so hopefully I can do more today."
"I'm preparing to play on Sunday," the seventh-year pro added. "I anticipate everything going well. I'm getting my mind and body ready."
Staley is also eager to be a part of a rivalry game with Seattle.
"They're playing amazing football," Staley said of the NFC West leaders. "They're winning with a lot of pressure... I think one of the ways you combat that is being physical. We have to continue that through the entire game."
Staley commented that the return of Michael Crabtree has enhanced San Francisco's physical play on offense, too.
"He's the best after the catch receiver I've seen in the NFL," the left tackle said. "The style he plays, he brings that physical mindset. He brings that mentality to the offense and people feed off that.
"People feed off seeing a receiver downfield, getting a block, making a guy miss or running a guy over. He's a tremendous competitor. We're happy to have him back."
If Staley is unable to go on Sunday, right guard Alex Boone will start at left tackle and Joe Looney will line up in Boone's place.
Staley believes both players are capable of exceling in those roles.
"I was incredibly impressed," Staley said of how both Boone and Looney played in adjusted roles last week against the Rams. "That's one of the hardest things to do, especially with what Alex Boone did.
"Boone really stepped up and did a tremendous job for this team... (Rams defensive end) Robert Quinn is no cake walk out there. He did a great job of handling him out there."
Left guard Mike Iupati's status is not known for this week, but he was the only 49ers player not to practice on Thursday. If unable to go, Adam Snyder will make a third consecutive start this week.
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