Patrick Willis going to injured reserve

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis is going to season-ending injured reserve after having surgery on his toe. That's a huge blow to the 49ers' defense as Willis is one of the league's top inside linebackers.

With Willis going to injured reserve, the 49ers have signed running back Alfonso Smith.

Willis was injured last month and was unable to heal at a proper speed without a surgical procedure.

"I promise you when I come back, I'll be better and stronger than I was before I left," Willis told reporters, via the team's official site.

Willis going to injured reserve comes with Aldon Smith returning this week.

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