Aldon Smith, who flirted with an NFL rookie record for sacks last season, left Friday's game in the first quarter with a hip injury and did not return. Smith left the stadium with the assistance of two canes, but coach Jim Harbaugh said it could have been worse. "Still waiting," he said when asked about Smith. "Preliminary -- looks like we'll be alright. Looks like we dodged a bullet there." Smith appeared to suffer the injury on the first play of the Vikings' second drive, a three-yard run by Toby Gerhart to Smith's side of the field. He remained in the game for another play, but then jogged gingerly to the sideline. He had a pronounced limp while walking into the training room and the 49ers characterized the injury as a hip bruise. Source: Sacramento Bee
