ST. LOUIS -- Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis returned to the lineup Sunday after missing three full games with a right hamstring strain. But he didn't necessarily return to Pro Bowl form.
Willis went through limited practice the past two weeks. Willis was declared 100-percent healthy, and the club wanted to get him back on the field before the playoffs."He looked strong, physically," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "That's the main thing. There might have been a little bit of rust."
The rust was apparent, as Willis had a difficult time getting off blocks. He recorded four tackles in the game in the 49ers' 34-27 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
"Obviously, I didn't feel the same as I felt before I left," Willis said. "I felt my feet were real heavy. It felt different, like it was new all over again."
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