Shawntae Spencer, who tore a knee ligament in Week two, finally was placed on injured reserve today. The roster opening allowed the 49ers to pounce on a player they liked, offensive lineman Kirk Barton, who was released by the Miami Dolphins yesterday. Barton will be on the 53-man roster and will join the 49ers Friday in New Jersey. Barton played at Ohio State and was a seventh-round draft pick by the Bears this year before being waived and picked up by the Dolphins. The 6-4, 305-pound Barton - surprise, surprise - was at the Senior Bowl.
"We had the (open) spot all along," Nolan said. "Basically, we were waiting for something to come available that we liked."
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Nolan said that Jonas Jennings would be doubtful to play this week while Manny Lawson would be probable. Jennings was the only player who didn't take part in practice today. Mark Roman and Donald Strickland both were limited. ... For the Giants, LBs Antonio Pierce and Gerris Wilkinson did not practice. ...
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... There was a brief practice scuffle today involving Joe Staley and Roderick Green. "If it means something to them, yeah," Nolan said when asked if he has ever seen players in shells get into a fracas. No word yet whether Staley confused Green for Michael Strahan ...
-- Matt Barrows








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