Frank Gore, nursing a sprained right ankle, practiced Wednesday on a limited basis. The 49ers are confident he will be ready to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday but are easing up on his workload as a precaution.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” Gore said.
Gore rushed for 207 yards against the Seattle Seahawks last week but turned an ankle in the fourth quarter. He plans on being fully ready for his showdown against Vikings’ running back Adrian Peterson, who leads the NFC with 272 rushing yards. Gore is second with 237 rushing yards.
“I’m going out there to be the best player to help my team win. I’m not worrying about any Adrian Peterson,” he said. “I’m just going out there and do what I do best — run the ball, block, and catch the ball and try to get my team a W.”
Instead of Peterson, Gore was more concerned with Minnesota defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams, who have each made the Pro Bowl for three consecutive seasons. The Vikings have led the NFL in rushing defense three years in a row, the only team to do that since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
Minnesota has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 25 consecutive games, the second-longest current streak behind the Baltimore Ravens (36).
“They play well together,” Gore said. “Now they have (Jared) Allen at end. But it’s not about them. As long as we go out there and be on the same page and just go out there and play ball, we should be fine Sunday.”
The Vikings’ usually vaunted defense has shown a few cracks lately. Through two games, it ranks only 15th in the NFL against the run.
The Vikings know they need to patch things up before Gore arrives.
“He’s a top, elite back in the league,” Vikings linebacker Ben Leber told reporters in Minnesota. “We’re going to really have to be on our p’s and q’s and watch a lot of film and make sure that we can get a lot of guys on him at all times.”
—After reports that the 49ers had accused the Jets of tampering with receiver Michael Crabtree, Jets coach Rex Ryan called the allegations “ridiculous.” Then, hinting at payback, Ryan said he wished the Jets had a chance to play the 49ers.
On Wednesday, Singletary responded.
“I think it’s outstanding. I love that. That’s Rex Ryan. I love Rex Ryan,” he said. “Maybe, at some point in time we will play. But, for right now, we’re thinking about Minnesota and we’ve got to get prepared for them. And, who knows? Maybe we’ll see Rex somewhere along the line.”
—Peterson said he hopes Crabtree’s situation works out better than it did for Mike Williams. A former Vikings No. 10 pick, Williams missed a full season because he hired an agent before he was eligible to play in the NFL.
“I think you’re not in the flow of things,” Peterson said. “(Crabtree) is not going through training. He’s not going through practices and playing football. You don’t come back the same. You’re out for a full year, and you’re training, that’s all good. But it’s different when you’re out there playing snaps. If he keeps his body in shape and keep in playing condition. He’ll be all right.”
— Singletary said receiver Brandon Jones (shoulder) remains day to day. The 49ers want to see how much progress he makes during practice this week before deciding if he can play Sunday.
—Linebacker Ahmad Brooks returned to practice for the first time since arthroscopic knee surgery and had no restrictions.