Bothered by a pulled hamstring, Gay tried to practice Thursday and was listed as questionable for the game late in the week. Mike McKenzie, coming back from reconstructive knee surgery and played for the first time this season last weekend in Denver, was slated to start in Gay's spot.

The Saints also signed fullback Olaniyi Sobomehin from their practice squad to replace Mike Karney, who injured his ankle late in the Denver game and was not expected to play this week. To make room for Sobomehin, the Saints waived tight end Sean Ryan, signed earlier in the week after Jeremy Shockey had sports hernia surgery.

Saints running back Aaron Stecker was scratched for a fourth straight week with a nagging hamstring injury.

Saints receiver David Patten, who missed practice last week with a pulled groin, remained active but was replaced in the starting lineup by Lance Moore. New Orleans entered the game with a depleted receiving corps; Shockey and receiver Marques Colston already were out.

The 49ers, who announced earlier that starting offensive tackle Jonas Jennings (shoulder) and cornerback Shawntae Spencer (knee) would be out, did not have any last-minute scratches.