Willis injury could further test defense in Denver

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ST. LOUIS — The 49ers’ defense has held up well this season without two All-Pro linebackers, but can it manage without a third?

It might have to find out after inside linebacker Patrick Willis left Monday’s 31-17 win over the Rams in the second quarter with a toe injury and did not return. After the game, Willis walked out of the locker room with a boot on his left foot and said one of his toes got caught on the artificial turf at the Edward Jones Dome.

He declined to say if he had turf toe, or speculate on the severity of the injury.

“Not sure,” Willis said. “We’ll find out tomorrow and we’ll see.”

If Willis has turf toe, he could be sidelined for several weeks. Cornerback Tramaine Brock suffered the injury in the season opener and has missed the past five games.

Rookie Chris Borland, a third-round pick, replaced Willis in the second half and had two tackles and tied a team high with two passes defended.

It appears possible the 49ers will visit Peyton Manning and the Broncos on Sunday night with a linebacker corps comprised of Ahmad Brooks, Borland, Dan Skuta and Michael Wilhoite. Skuta and Wilhoite are assuming the spots of Aldon Smith (suspended) and NaVorro Bowman (knee).

In other injury news, cornerback Jimmie Ward (quadriceps) and left guard Mike Iupati (concussion) exited in the third quarter. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson took a knee to his rear end when he recovered on onside kick in the fourth quarter and was optimistic he would play at Denver.

San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) leaves the field after being injured in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, in St Louis. (AP Photo/Billy Hurst) less San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Patrick Willis (52) leaves the field after being injured in the second quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Monday, Oct. 13, 2014, in St Louis. (AP ... more Photo: Billy Hurst, Associated Press Photo: Billy Hurst, Associated Press Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Willis injury could further test defense in Denver 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

With Ward sidelined, Perrish Cox played the nickel corner spot and rookie Dontae Johnson played in Cox’s spot on the outside. Johnson sealed the win with a 20-yard interception return for a touchdown with a minute left.

Staley’s close call: Left tackle Joe Staley was happy to see wide receiver Anquan Boldin catch an 11-yard, go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter, but he would have been even happier if he was celebrating in the end zone.

Staley, a tight end at Rockford (Mich.) High, reported as an eligible receiver on the 3rd-and-1 play, which was designed to be a pass to him. However, defensive end Robert Quinn tackled Staley, drawing a holding penalty, and Colin Kaepernick found Boldin in the back of the end zone.

“Robert messed that up for me,” Staley said. “It was wide open. It would have been a Monday night celebration. I had a great dance and everything … It was going to be a touchdown and I was going to have a hell of a celebration.”

What was the dance: “Wait for it,” Staley said.

Prime-time performers: The 49ers extended their winning streak on “Monday Night Football” to seven games, the second-longest in the NFL (Seahawks, 9).

They have outscored opponents 195-66 during their streak. Their last loss on MNF was a 25-22 defeat against New Orleans on Sept.20, 2010. The 49ers also have the most wins (46) on MNF.