Smith suffered a concussion on December 11 against the New York Jets and missed the team's game this past Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. He has not practiced over the past two weeks.
Smith had started 12 games this season, recording 20 receptions for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Smith was selected as the team's nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for this year.
While on KNBR 680 this week, Smith would not commit to playing on Saturday or even the rest of the season. "My health is the most important thing," Smith said. "I want to make sure that I'm fine to go and then I can play."
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Only two teams have more players on injured reserve than San Francisco. They are the Chicago Bears with 19 and the San Diego Chargers with 18.
To take Smith's place on the roster, the team has activated LB Wynton McManis from the practice squad. He was originally signed by the team as an undrafted free agent on May 12. McManis appeared in 47 games, registered 110 tackles, and three sacks during his four-year career at the University of Memphis. In 2015, he appeared in 13 games and recorded 62 tackles, three sacks, and one fumble recovery.
While McManis played outside linebacker at Memphis, Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area believed that he had the size (6-1, 225 lbs) to make him a better fit at inside linebacker, where the team has been thin at all season – more so now due to multiple injuries.
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