SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- David Akers is keeping his job as San Franciscos starting kicker. For now, anyway. Coach Jim Harbaugh made the announcement after practice Thursday, two days ahead of the 49ers NFC divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers (12-5) at Candlestick Park. "Suffice it to say we feel confident in David giving us the best chance to win," Harbaugh said. The 49ers (11-4-1) signed Billy Cundiff on Jan. 1 to compete with Akers, a 15-year veteran who has struggled this season while making only 29 of 42 field-goal attempts. He has plenty of supporters in the locker room who still believe he can put the ball through the uprights on the NFLs biggest stage. "Its nice to see that Akers gets an opportunity to redeem himself, especially in the playoffs," safety Donte Whitner said. "If he does it in the playoffs, I believe that everybody will forget about the misses that he had in the regular season." Akers revealed last week he underwent double hernia surgery last February, then re-aggravated the area earlier this season when he slipped on the field during practice. After a Nov. 25 game at New Orleans, Akers returned to the doctor in Philadelphia who performed the surgery to receive an injection. The left-footed Akers understood why Cundiff was brought in, but made it clear he wants to remain the kicker. "He responded like a football player does," Harbaugh said. "He competed." Cundiff, who missed a potential tying 32-yarder that might have kept Baltimore and Harbaughs big brother, John, from reaching the Super Bowl last season, will remain on the roster. Harbaugh said he isnt likely to be among the active players Saturday. "To be determined -- most likely not," Harbaugh said. "Hes done a nice job. Davids done a better job and is more prepared to give us the best chance to win." Akers received death threats last month via Twitter, and NFL and team security got involved. He missed overtime kicks twice against the Rams this season, with the 49ers losing at St. Louis and tying at home. Akers had a field goal blocked in a loss at Seattle on Dec. 23 that Richard Sherman returned 90 yards for a touchdown. He missed two more wide left in a home victory against Arizona in the regular-season finale before bouncing back to make two. The 38-year-old Akers began the season by making a 63-yarder in a season-opening win at Green Bay in which the ball bounced off the crossbar and through the uprights. Last week, he said, "I would definitely give that 63-yarder back to make the two kicks against St. Louis." Akers wasnt available to the media Thursday. "I have a lot of confidence in him," cornerback Carlos Rogers said. "I actually thought that was going to be the choice. I thought he should stick with David from the get-go. I think that was just a little pressure to get David back on point. He was a little off. Im glad hes out kicking. Coach is not the guy that brings in a lot of people, changes a lot of positions. "We kind of stick who weve stuck with from the beginning of training camp. Davids that guy. Ive said all along Davids going to make the kick to help us win the Super Bowl. Thats just been my mindset, since Day 1." Rogers would know, too. They faced off for six seasons in the NFC East -- Akers for the Eagles and Rogers with the Washington Redskins. Akers made 20 of 22 field goals in their head-to-head meetings, missing only from 50 and 53 yards. Akers made 44 of 52 field goals during his All-Pro 2011 season, his first in a three-year deal after joining San Francisco. His reliable left leg had seemed near-perfect -- causing his teammates to wonder why the Eagles would ever let him go -- until this up-and-down season. When asked whether Akers playoff experience factored into the decision and gave him an edge over Cundiff, Harbaugh said, "feel like weve plowed that ground as thoroughly as it can possibly be plowed." His teammates were happy to hear the news. "Everybody respects Dave in this locker room," backup quarterback Alex Smith said. "I know its been tough. Its not easy. It seems like you only really get noticed when you go out there and fail. Everybody has respect for what Dave is about, what he stands for. "Hes obviously gone through a rough patch. Happy to see him win the competition. I hope it gets him back on track." cheap jerseys from china . The injury occurred in the second period of the Penguins game against the Boston Bruins when Hossa collided knee-on-knee with Glen Murray. He immediately left the ice and did not return. 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The Rockies filled the roster vacancies by purchasing the contracts of infielder Josh Rutledge from Tulsa and right-hander Mike Ekstrom from Triple-A Colorado Springs. To clear a spot on their 40-man roster for Ekstrom, the Rockies moved pitcher Jorge De La Rosa from the 15- to the 60-day disabled list. De La Rosa has been sidelined since undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery a year ago. Rutlledge, Ekstrom and Hernandez were all available to play against the Phillies.dddddddddddd Helton was batting .235 in 63 games, well below his career average of .320. He has been bothered recently by hip soreness and hes expected to undergo an MRI soon to try to determine the extent of the injury. Its the first trip to the disabled list for the 38-year-old Helton since a stint from July 7-Aug. 3, 2010, because of lower back stiffness. Rutledge, one of the Rockies top prospects, was hitting .306 with 13 home runs and 35 RBIs for Tulsa. Prior to his recall, Ekstrom was with Colorado Springs, going 2-1 with a 2.64 ERA and one save. He was a non-roster invitee to the Rockies spring training after signing with the team last December as a minor league free agent. Ekstrom has pitched in the big leagues with San Diego (2008-09) and Tampa Bay (2010-11). Hes 0-3 with a 5.36 ERA in 36 career appearances. ' ' '