49ers put Kevan Barlow on IR

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- The San Francisco 49ers Wednesday placed leading rusher Kevan Barlow on the injured reserve list because of a knee injury.

It means Barlow, who has not played since Dec. 11 against Seattle and was hurt the week before against Arizona, will miss the 49ers' year-ending contest against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

Barlow, a five-year veteran out of the University of Pittsburgh, finishes the season with 581 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 176 attempts. He added 31 catches for 241 yards.

His absence means San Francisco (3-12) will continue to rely on rookie Frank Gore and Maurice Hicks for the bulk of its ground game. Gore ran for two scores last Saturday at St. Louis.

The team also said five other players will be among the walking wounded entering the Houston game, including cornerback Derrick Johnson (neck) and linebacker Ahmed Plummer (ankle).