49ers notes: As big game looms, Harbaugh and Carroll focus on Christmas cards

SANTA CLARA – That Jim Harbaugh, he's such a card.

Asked Wednesday if after facing Pete Carroll for so many years there were any "hallmarks" of a Carroll-coached team, Harbaugh attempted a bit of dry humor.

"I don't remember getting any cards from him at the holidays," Harbaugh deadpanned.

Carroll evidently got word of Harbaugh's remark and had a ready and, befitting the Harbaugh-Carroll dichotomy, wordier response.

"I heard that he didn't get one from us yet," the Seahawks coach said of a Christmas card. "I want to go back and check my list and see how that happened. Maybe there'll be something coming along here before long. If Jim's not sending a card, that's OK. I understand. We'll try to get one in the mail soon."

Carroll continued to needle Harbaugh later in the conference call when he was asked about Harbaugh's complaint from earlier in the season that Seattle's cornerbacks were too physical with the 49ers' wide receivers during San Francisco's 13-6 win Oct. 18.

"I did go back to look at the film to see what Jim was talking about," Carroll said. "And I had trouble seeing why there was a complaint. But, you know, the fact that he did (complain), he was just trying to get some help from the officials, I think."

One of the Seahawks cornerbacks in question, Brandon Browner, is serving a four-game suspension for failing a drug test. The other, Richard Sherman, has an appeal hearing Friday for the same offense. Sherman played for Harbaugh at Stanford.

"We can't even comment on it," Carroll said of the possible suspension. "But we're going to practice today, and away we go. He's going to be out there working."

Et cetera – Defensive end Justin Smith (arm) was an observer during Wednesday's practice. Although an MRI showed his injury is not long-term, his consecutive starts streak (185), dating to 2001, is in jeopardy.

• Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his four-touchdown performance in New England. Alex Smith was given the same honor following a 24-3 win over Arizona on Oct. 29, the fourth time since 1988 that two 49ers have received the award in the same season.

• Starters Ahmad Brooks (shoulder), Tarell Brown (shoulder), Mario Manningham (shoulder), Bruce Miller (shoulder) and Aldon Smith (shoulder) were listed as "limited" Wednesday

• Read more articles by Matthew Barrows

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