Joe Staley expected to miss next game

San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley is expected to miss his side's next game, having picked up a knee injury during their defeat of St Louis Rams on Sunday.

The 49ers overcame the Rams 23-13 thanks to some inspired kicking from Phil Dawson and touchdowns from Frank Gore and Vernon Davis.

However, Staley limped out of the game and required strapping to his right knee as he left the field.

A report from the San Jose Mercury News suggests that Staley has suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament, with the player set for an MRI on Monday.

The 49ers are second in the NFC Western Division with a record of 8-4.