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Brandon Jacobs on the Mend

Big Brandon Jacobs has been stuck on the sidelines this year as he tries to recover from a preseason injury, but the talented tailback is on the mend.

Jacobs spoke to reporters on Tuesday in the 49ers locker room and said that he’s feeling the best he’s felt since the regular season began. Jacobs practiced on a limited basis throughout last week’s trip in Youngstown, Ohio, but was inactive for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

“This is what I want to do,” Jacobs said. “I play ball for my career, this is my livelihood. Watching my team win and play – especially being part of a new organization, new team – I want to get out there and really be a part of it.”

Jacobs has watched as the 49ers have built a 3-1 record behind a new-look offense, a dominant defense and a special teams unit that has established itself as one of the league’s best yet again in 2012. But now Jacobs is hoping he’s ready to join the fray.

Before he suffered the injury in Week 2 of the preseason at Houston, Jacobs was used as a short-yardage specialist. The 6-foot-4, 264-pound option also broke off some explosive runs for big gains and proved he has plenty left in the tank.

“I’m ready to play,” Jacobs said. “It’s nothing now, it’s all gone now.”

Jacobs was still soaked in sweat as he spoke to the media shortly after working out on the practice fields behind team headquarters. The bruising rusher said he ran 60-yard sprints as hard as he could go without any major setbacks.

“There’s a little kinks I’ve got to run out but I feel good,” Jacobs said. “I feel good about my explosiveness, I’ve got fresh legs.”

It’s not just Jacobs who’s looking forward to a future return from Jacobs. Fullback Bruce Miller said the entire offense is excited to see what Jacobs can bring to the huddle after his brief but impressive display in the preseason.

“Just the faith that he’ll get the tough yards,” Miller said. “When it gets to short-yardage situations they kind of pack the box and to know that he’ll be able to fall forward and get those extra yards that we need on third-down conversions will be a big help.”

But first Jacobs has to prove to the coaching and training staffs that he’s capable of a gameday workload. Once he does step on the field, Jacobs is eager to feel some contact again.

“I definitely want to go out and get hit,” Jacobs said. “Because once you get that first, nice hit, you feel like you’re ready to go.”

The injury has been particularly frustrating to Jacobs, as he’s been a durable player throughout his eight-year career. But he’s excited to get to work with his teammates as they prepare for Sunday’s home matchup against the Buffalo Bills.

“That’s the way the sport goes,” Jacobs said. “I can’t control it, you can’t control it, nobody else can control it. You just got to there and take care of yourself the best way you can.”