"Justin Smith's arm injury might not be serious enough to sideline him for Sunday's game at Seattle, based on 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's comments Tuesday morning on KNBR 680-AM.

Asked if Smith could practice this week, Harbaugh responded: "Everyone affectionately refers to Justin Smith around here as 'The Cowboy.' I expect we'll see The Cowboy.

"Knowing what I know of Justin Smith and the situation, yeah I think the Cowboy will be around. Cowboy will be saddled up, ropin' and ridin'.

" If it's humanly possible, The Cowboy will be out there, ropin' and ridin'. "

Smith started his 185th consecutive regular-season game Sunday night but couldn't finish it after sustaining a third-quarter elbow injury. The New England Patriots took advantage of his advantage by rallying from a 28-point deficit to tie the score at 31, but the 49ers still pulled out a 41-34 victory.