Injury report
Panthers receiver Steve Smith plans to play despite spraining a knee ligament Week 16. He’s unsure how effective he’ll be or whether his knee will hold up. Without Smith in the lineup most of the past two games, Brandon LaFell has flopped as a No. 1 receiver. Look for receiver Ted Ginn to make an impact against his former team.
Running back Jonathan Stewart also is expected to play after missing the last three games with a torn MCL.
49ers starting corner Carlos Rogers (hamstring) missed Wednesday's practice and could be out for the second straight week. But Tarell Brown, Tramaine Brock and Perrish Cox played well in his absence, limiting Packers QB Aaron Rodgers to 177 passing yards.