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| 49ers LB Patrick Willis was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week after making 10 tackles in San Francisco's 34-0 win against the Jets. (US Presswire) |
LB Patrick Willis was named the NFC defensive player of the week following the 49ers ’ 34-0 win against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Willis made 10 tackles and intercepted a pass en route to winning the award for the second time in his career.
"Anytime I win an award, I want to start by thanking my teammates,” Willis said. “Especially that front seven. I'll say it again, I don't think I'd be half the guy I am today without those guys."
Willis wasn’t without competition from guys on his own team. CB Carlos Rogers was certainly deserving of consideration after recovering two fumbles, one of which he took 51 yards for a touchdown. LB Aldon Smith had two sacks.
The fact that several players could have been considered, wouldn’t surprise Bills coach Chan Gailey, who spoke highly of Willis and the 49ers' defense Wednesday.
"(Willis) doesn't stand out tremendously in that group because they've got a bunch of outstanding football players in that group," Gailey said. "But when you start to just watch him individually play after play, he really is an amazing player."
Kaepernick on Gailey’s mind: Buffalo coach Gailey didn’t sound happy the 49ers unleashed QB Colin Kaepernick in their win against the Jets. Kaepernick’s five-carry, 50-yard performance has Gailey’s mind spinning.
"Yeah, it's a lot," Gailey said. "That puts a lot of stress on your defense to prepare for that week-in and week-out. He's done a good job of running what they've put in and done a good job of keeping it varied, so it's not the same all the time."
He said the Bills would likely use Tyler Thigpen to rep Kaepernick in practice, but there is a chance they could use receiver Brad Smith, who was an electric running quarterback in college at Missouri.
Injury report: LB Bowman (shoulder), CB Rogers (ankle) and DT Isaac Sopoaga (knee, ankle) were limited in practice Wednesday. None are expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Bills.
RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) was a full participant in practice. It was the first time he was listed as a full participant since the regular season began due to a knee injury he suffered in the second game of the preseason.
Follow 49ers reporter Kyle Bonagura on Twitter @CBS49ers and @KyleBonagura.
