SANTA CLARA – Wearing a face shield on his helmet, 49ers tight end Delanie Walker returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since breaking his jaw in two places Dec. 24.

Walker was a limited participant in the session, and he initially wore a black jersey that designated him as someone who is to avoid contact. Walker suffered the injury in Week 16 when the knee of a Seattle Seahawks linebacker caught him underneath his chin guard.

The tight end's jaw was wired shut shortly thereafter, limiting him to a diet of soup and blended foods. The wiring was released two weeks ago, and it was removed entirely Monday.

Walker's return to action Sunday would be a boon to a passing game that has been missing some of its firepower in recent weeks. In addition to Walker's absence, Braylon Edwards was released last month and Ted Ginn has been dealing with ankle and knee injuries and may not play Sunday.

Walker led the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards in their regular-season 27-20 victory over the New York Giants, and he and fellow tight end Vernon Davis are seen as keys to taking advantage of the Giants' linebackers.

Ginn was one of three 49ers starters who did not practice Wednesday.

Center Jonathan Goodwin (calf) and safety Dashon Goldson (ankle) also sat out. Both missed snaps in Saturday's win over New Orleans after being injured but returned to the game. Both are expected to play Sunday.

Soggy weather – Storm clouds are on the horizon for game day, and coach Jim Harbaugh said he was eager to practice on a soggy surface in advance of the game.

"There's a possibility of rain (today), Friday and Saturday and Sunday," Harbaugh said. "Wouldn't mind getting some work in those kinds of conditions if it does play out that way."

The 49ers have yet to play in bad weather this season. It rained before and after their Oct. 2 game in Philadelphia, but the field conditions were good and there was little precipitation during the game.

Also, Candlestick Park workers had a tarp on the field before the team's Nov. 20 game against Arizona, but it did not rain during that game, either.

Et cetera – Harbaugh said he bumped into former 49ers quarterback Steve Young at the team's facility Tuesday and fielded a call from former safety Ronnie Lott.

"Very positive," Harbaugh said of the exchanges with Super Bowl-winning 49ers. "They love the way the team is playing. Very positive, very excited for the fellas."

• The Sports Illustrated jinx is guaranteed to strike this week. The 49ers and Giants are on separate covers of the magazine, with the Giants issue distributed on the East Coast and the 49ers covers on the West Coast.

• Special teams ace Colin Jones practiced almost exclusively as a safety during the regular season but has been working with the receivers since Week 17. That trend continued Wednesday.

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