He isn’t even the most talked-about 49ers defensive player named Smith, but it still would be a mistake to underestimate Justin Smith’s importance.
That was obvious after Saturday’s NFC divisional playoff win in San Francisco over the Packers, when it seemed like players and coaches wanted to talk about Smith’s gutsy return as much as they did Colin Kaepernick’s record-shattering quarterback performance.
While defensive end Aldon Smith gets many of the headlines on defense — deservedly so after racking up 19 1/2 sacks this season — it’s Justin Smith who appears to be San Francisco’s heart and soul on that side of the ball as the Niners prepare to visit Atlanta this Sunday for a shot at the Super Bowl.
“His legend grows,” Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said of the veteran defensive tackle. “What a player.”
Justin Smith’s numbers against Green Bay might look rather pedestrian on paper (five tackles, four of them solo), but the fact that he was on the field at all — much less playing 55 of the 60 defensive snaps — was remarkable.
It had been less than a month since Smith partially tore the triceps in his left arm in a road win over the Patriots on Dec. 16. It’s an extremely painful injury that will require offseason surgery and one that would have ended the season of many players right on the spot.
But not Smith, a former first-round pick of the Bengals who is still chasing a Super Bowl ring in his 12th NFL season. Not only did he work diligently to return in time for San Francisco’s first playoff game, but by all accounts he played very well despite a bulky elbow brace.
“I’m just glad to be part of this team and get a chance to play in the NFC Championship Game,” the famously humble Smith said after the Niners beat the Packers, 45-31.
Not that any of the 49ers were surprised, considering how devoted and selfless the four-time Pro Bowl pick and All-Pro selection has been since coming to San Francisco five years ago.
Smith had played end (primarily right end) his entire career until last season, when Harbaugh arrived and the dominance of top pick Aldon Smith — a fellow Missouri product — became immediately apparent.
Justin Smith agreed to move inside, an adjustment that isn’t easy or natural and also promised to increase the wear and tear on his body. But it paid off immediately for both Smith and the Niners. He notched 7 1/2 sacks, helped Aldon Smith contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and served as a cornerstone as San Francisco’s defense led the way to a 13-3 record last season.
How important is Justin Smith to Aldon Smith? Consider Aldon Smith had 15 sacks in the seven games leading up to the game in which Justin Smith was injured, then didn’t muster a single sack while Justin Smith was out.
Aldon Smith’s sack drought continued against Green Bay, but he appeared much more active with Justin Smith back alongside him, forcing a fumble and getting at least one hit on Aaron Rodgers.
That was to be expected if you listen to Harbaugh, who sometimes sounds as if he doesn’t know what the 49ers would do without Justin Smith.
“He’s a leader both by example and verbally, and more so by example,” Harbaugh said. “He plays with a tenacity and an effort level that’s second to none. And it’s just contagious to everybody.”
bhubbuch@nypost.com