Frank Gore injury: 49ers RB returns to practice

Frank Gore is feeling better -- good enough to sleep in bed without sitting up, according to one report -- after suffering a rib injury in the San Francisco 49ers' 13-6 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football in Week 7.

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Gore did everything required of him in practice on Monday and showed no ill effects. With the 49ers' extended period of 11 days between games, it's highly likely that Gore will suit up when the team travels to University of Phoenix Stadium to take on the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football in Week 8.

Gore suffered the injury late in the contest against the Seahawks and was replaced by Kendall Hunter. Gore leads the Niners' second-ranked rushing offense with 601 yards on 103 carries, good for a 5.8 yards per carry average and four touchdowns. He's also been a prolific receiving threat out of the backfield, with 15 catches for 110 yards through seven games.

The Cardinals have the seventh-ranked defense and have allowed an average of 120.9 yards per contest on the ground. Gore will give the Niners a hand in countering the strong Cardinals defense should he return as expected.