SANTA CLARA –- Running back Frank Gore will be back in uniform for the 49ers on Saturday night after clearing the NFL-mandated concussion protocol to return to action.
Gore sustained a concussion in the second quarter last week against the Seattle Seahawks and did not return. However, backup running back Carlos Hyde will not be available to face the San Diego Chargers due to an ankle injury.
Alfonso Smith and Phillip Tanner are the 49ers’ reserve running backs behind Gore, who enters the game 196 yards short of his eighth 1,000-yard season.
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Right tackle Anthony Davis returns to action after missing four games with a concussion. He is slated to make just his fourth start of the season.
Ahmad Brooks is not available due to a dislocated thumb he sustained against the Seahawks. Dan Skuta or Aaron Lynch will open as the starter in place of Brooks.
Nick Moody will get his first NFL start on Saturday after the 49ers placed Chris Borland (ankle) on season-ending injured reserve.
Bruce Ellington, Brandon Lloyd and Quinton Patton are available to play as the 49ers’ No. 3 receiver behind Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree with Stevie Johnson (ankle) out of action on Saturday night.
Also, the 49ers deactivated backup lineman Joe Looney for the first time this season. Looney started last week in place of center Marcus Martin, who returns after missing one game with a knee injury. But offensive coordinator Greg Roman did not give Looney high marks for his performance. Undrafted rookie Dillon Farrell is active in place of Looney.
49ers inactives
QB Josh Johnson
WR Stevie Johnson
CB Tramaine Brock
RB Carlos Hyde
LB Ahmad Brooks
G Andrew Tiller
G Joe Looney
Chargers inactives
P Mike Scifres
WR Keenan Allen
RB Ryan Mathews
CB Greg Ducre
DT Damion Square
NT Ryan Carrethers
OLB Cordarro Law
