Two games into the playoffs, Justin Smith says his battered left arm is holding up through the pain of a partially torn triceps tendon.
The San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman practiced Wednesday and plans to be on the field for Super Bowl XLVII.
"It's feeling all right, feeling pretty good," Smith told Bay Area News Group.
Smith has been slowed by the injury despite his unquestioned grit. He was a difference-maker against the run in Sunday's NFC title game win over the Atlanta Falcons, but Smith struggled get to the passer and collapse the pocket. He did plenty of that during the season, helping Aldon Smith rack up 19.5 sacks.
Justin Smith is playing through a nasty injury that could lead to a full tear. He's willing to gamble with the pain, though, after reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in his 12-year NFL career.
"I figured if I ever go, I could go when I was done playing, but I wanted to go as a player. To get that opportunity now is going to be awesome," Smith said. "... We got to bring this thing home."
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
