Gore, 49ers have waited long time
Frank Gore is closing in on San Francisco’s rushing record. He’s hoping it will be one small part of a big celebration for the 49ers on Sunday.
Gore needs 22 yards against the visiting St. Louis Rams to become San Francisco’s all-time leading rusher. The two-time Pro Bowler ranks sixth among the NFL’s leading rushers this year with 909 yards, averaging 82.6 per game.
The seventh-year veteran can reach another milestone Sunday that he has been pursuing since joining the 49ers: His first playoff berth. San Francisco can end an eight-year playoff drought and clinch its first NFC West title since 2002 with a victory.
“I’ve been here for seven years, and a lot of us in this locker room have been here a while and been through tough times here,” Gore said Friday. “The goal for us is to make the playoffs, and this is the closest we’ve ever been. The big picture is us winning the game. I would be real happy if we can do it as a team and I can do it as an individual getting the record.”
McNabb clears waivers
Donovan McNabb was unclaimed by the waiver deadline on Friday afternoon, one day after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings so he could pursue an opportunity for playing time elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Vikings claimed quarterback Sage Rosenfels off waivers from the Miami Dolphins to replace McNabb.
Suh’s appeal denied
The suspension stands, and that means Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will sit out the next two games for stomping an opponent during a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Suh’s appeal of the suspension handed out earlier this week was denied by Art Shell, jointly appointed by the NFL and the players’ association to hear such cases. Suh will miss Sunday’s game at New Orleans and a Dec. 11 home game against Minnesota. He can return for practice on Dec. 12.
Around the league
The Chicago Bears and receiver Earl Bennett agreed on a four-year contract extension through 2015. Terms were not disclosed. … Atlanta wide receiver Kerry Meier was fined $20,000 by the NFL for his illegal blindside block to the head area of Minnesota long snapper Cullen Loeffler last Sunday. Loeffler broke a bone in his lower back and is out for the season. … Washington’s Stephen Bowen and Seattle’s K.J. Wright were each fined $15,000 for roughing-the- passer penalties during the Redskins’ victory over the Seahawks.