SANTA CLARA -- Running back Frank Gore had reason to be feeling good when he awoke Monday morning, one day after he accounted for 214 yards and two touchdowns in the 49ers' victory.


But then he heard the news. His friend and former teammate, Washington safety Sean Taylor, had been shot at his home in Miami. Taylor died on Tuesday. He was 24.

Gore said he knew Taylor since playing youth football with him. They entered college at the same time.

"The University of Miami, all the boys who come out of there, we're like brothers," Gore said Wednesday. "It's tough, you know. It's like losing my brother."

Gore said he would ask 49ers coach Mike Nolan for permission to remain on the East Coast after Sunday's game against Carolina to attend Taylor's memorial service in Miami the following day.

"I know it can happen to anyone," Gore said. "Miami, it's a tough city. A lot of people are jealous of guys who have better stuff than them. I thought about it when I go back to see my family and my kids. I've got to be careful. It's just tough on me, losing my mom. Now, I'm losing a friend who I played ball with, who I knew from younger days."

It will be Gore's second trip home to Miami since the start of the regular season to attend a funeral. His mother, Liz, died in mid-September.

"On the field, everybody knew him, Sean Taylor, he was a tough dude," Gore said. "He was a great football player. He loved the game. A lot of people didn't know (him). He called me when my mom passed. Even when he left early, he used to look out for me when he went to the NFL and I was still in college. He was a great dude."

On Wednesday, Gore was named NFC offensive player of the week for his performance against the Arizona Cardinals.

"He had a high-low this week," Nolan said. "He had a good game, then he loses a friend."

It had been a rough season for Gore on and off the field. He had not rushed for more than 100 yards through the first 10 games of the season. He was held to just 32 yards rushing the previous week against Seattle -- his lowest output of his 27 NFL starts.

Gore has been battling an ankle sprain. He saw limited practice Wednesday but is expected to start Sunday's game.

"He does have some mood in him," Nolan said. "If it's not going well, he tries to hang in there, but it's tough. This should give him a boost."

INJURY REPORT

Cornerbacks Shawntae Spencer (quad) and Marcus Hudson (knee) will not play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers because of injuries sustained against the Cardinals. Rookies Tarell Brown and Dashon Goldson will suit up in reserve roles.

Linebackers Derek Smith (groin) and Jeff Ulbrich (ankle) did not practice but are expected to be available for the game. Receiver Jason Hill (groin) also did not practice. His status is uncertain.

Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin (calf) saw limited practice time for the first time since his Nov. 12 injury. There is a chance he'll be available for action.

Quarterback Alex Smith (shoulder/forearm) took part in some of the individual footwork drills. He will rest this week and then be re-evaluated next week to determine the course of action for the remainder of the season.