Equipment staff preparing for anything in Buffalo

SANTA CLARA — Niners equipment manager Steve Urbaniak has been checking the Buffalo weather report daily since last Friday.

“For this one, we’ll do what we call ‘bring the house,’” Urbaniak said. “I’m bringing everything.”

The 49ers leave their temperate weather bubble of the Bay Area for the harsh realities of Western New York. Urbaniak said he will make sure that all the 49ers’ clothing needs are met when he packs for the trip.

“I know it’ll be a rain-sleet-snow mix,” he said. “You have to prepare for all three.”

Urbaniak said he expects the temperature Sunday to be around 36 degrees at Ralph Wilson Stadium. In the event of freezing rain, Urbaniak said, he will pack Gore-Tex and long johns for the staff on the sideline. There will be tights and compression gear for the players, as well as several different kinds of gloves and mittens.

“With the wind coming off the lake (Erie), you want to cut the wind out,” he said. “You don’t want to bring the heavy wool stuff, because once that gets wet, it gets heavy. You want to bring stuff that stays light and somewhat dry.”

The 49ers have not had many “weather” games in recent seasons. The conditions that might closest approximate what the team will experience Sunday in Buffalo was a December 2003 game in Cincinnati. The game began at 30 degrees, with a wind-chill factor of 26, in a light snow/rain.

Urbaniak, in his 10th season in the 49ers’ equipment room, said every player will have two jerseys, so they can switch into a dry top at halftime. In the meantime, he’ll continue to check weather.com and the National Weather Service for any updated information.

But the key is to be prepared for any scenario.

“We’re bringing everything,” Urbaniak said.

EXTRA POINTS

Cornerback Walt Harris (hamstring) and linebacker Patrick Willis (ankle) did not practice Wednesday. Willis is expected to be available for Sunday’s game, while Harris’ status is believed to be more uncertain.

Receivers Josh Morgan (foot) and Arnaz Battle (foot) returned to limited practice, but neither is considered a sure bet to return to action in Sunday’s game. Battle has missed three games, while Morgan has been out of action the past two games.

Return specialist Allen Rossum (ankle) and safety Dashon Goldson have already been ruled out for Sunday’s game. With Rossum out, Nate Clements is likely to return punts, while Delanie Walker is expected to be back on kickoffs.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@press

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