Joey Porter has 16.5 sacks, the most in the NFL this season and the most ever by a Miami Dolphins linebacker.

To which 49ers tight end Vernon Davis says, bring it on.

"I'm pretty sure I've gone up against a lot of other linebackers/defensive ends who are better than him," Davis said Thursday. "And I've pretty much won every battle."

Consider that an early start to what might be a long war of words Sunday. Porter's mouth is famously prolific, and Davis isn't exactly shy.

"I'm going to have to talk to Vernon this week and make sure that he doesn't get in a jaw-jacking competition," Coach Mike Singletary said. "Just play the game. Just play the game and let's go. But Vernon's a competitor, too, so it could be very interesting."

Just how much Porter and Davis will go one-on-one is tough to say. Porter usually lines up on the weak side, away from the tight end. For Davis to take him on, the 49ers will have to put him in motion to Porter's side.

But it's an intriguing matchup. Porter is Miami's best pass rusher. And Singletary recently called Davis the best blocking tight end he has ever seen. So it's safe to say Davis and Porter will cross paths at least a few times.

Watch for it.

Or, more accurately, listen for it.

"There might be some words exchanged, I would imagine," 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill said with a smile.

Hill said earlier this week that Davis is showing newfound maturity when it comes to trash-talking opponents. The quarterback said the New York Jets spent much of Sunday trying to antagonize the excitable tight end. "Verbally. Physically. Late stuff," he said. But Davis never took the bait.

The tight end acknowledged Thursday that teams have tried to rile him into unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties ever since his widely broadcast dustup Oct. 26. In that game, Davis drew a flag for smacking Seattle safety Brian Russell. The infraction drew the ire of Singletary, who berated the tight end along the sideline before banishing him to the showers.

Apparently, the rest of the league noticed. Davis said more than one opponent over the past month has said, "I'm going to tell Singletary to send you to the locker room."

Davis said he responds with a smile. He said he has promised Singletary that he will keep his cool. "I'm not going to let that get to me," he said. "I'm not going to let that happen ever again."

And if Porter starts jaw-jacking?

"Oh, that's fine," Davis said. "He can talk as long as he wants."

Porter, of course, is more than just talk. He has two sacks or more in a game five times this year. He is also the only player in NFL history with at least 70 career sacks and 10 career interceptions.

Davis said Porter looks good on film, as does linebacker Matt Roth.

"They're pretty good rushers. But I watched everybody else in the past and they're all pretty good rushers," Davis said. "My thing is, when I'm one-on-one with a guy I try my best not to lose. I'm going to compete. And I'm going to compete as hard as I can."

—Running back Frank Gore revealed that he spent Monday and Tuesday on crutches. Still, he is holding out hope of playing Sunday. "One day at a time," Gore said. "Every day I'm getting better and better." Gore suffered a sprained left ankle against the Jets. Singletary listed him as questionable.

DeShaun Foster, meanwhile, is preparing as if he will be the starter. Foster has averaged only 2.1 yards in 37 carries this season but said he will fare better now that he has a chance to get into the flow of the game.

—Receiver Arnaz Battle is listed as doubtful after aggravating a foot injury Sunday. Singletary said he is hopeful that Allen Rossum (ankle) will be healthy enough to return punts. Even if Rossum is ready, Singletary said that kickoff-return duties will still be handled by Delanie Walker and Michael Robinson.

—Receiver Josh Morgan (groin) is practicing without restriction and will be on the active roster this week.

—Miami holds a 5-4 edge in the regular-season series.