***UPDATE 2:45 p.m.**** Edwards and Norris were the only players missing from practice today. Crabtree, meanwhile, seemed to be going full speed in the early drills as opposed to last week when he was obviously holding back.
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards is "gonna be out a little bit" after having surgery on his right knee, Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. With another top receiver, Michael Crabtree, still dealing with a foot injury, Harbaugh said, "we'll see" when asked whether the team would explore adding another receiver to the 53-man roster. Harbaugh characterized Edwards' operation as "a little procedure," which implies it is not something that will end Edwards' season. Indeed, Edwards was walking under his own power during and after the game.
Harbaugh said that Crabtree would "most likely" play against the Bengals on Sunday. A few minutes later in the locker room, Crabtree said that his foot, which is still healing after a June 6 fracture, was improving daily. But he didn't shed any light on how much he'd be able to play against Cincinnati. "I can't go into the future," he said.
Crabtree injured his foot on San Jose State's artificial surface, and Harbaugh said the team would have to monitor Crabtree when he plays on those types of fields. The team's upcoming opponent, Cincinnati, plays on a turf-grass hybrid. After that game, the 49ers will spend a week at Youngstown State, which has an artificial field.
Edwards, meanwhile, injured his knee in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Cowboys. Edwards caught a 21-yard pass on the play, the second longest of the day for the 49ers. Joshua Morgan and Ted Ginn were the 49ers starting receivers throughout training camp and the preseason and they are listed as such on the team's injury report. (One of the starting spots says "Ginn OR Braylon Edwards" are the starters). They combined for seven receptions for 73 yards in Sunday's loss to Dallas. Kyle Williams also saw the most action of his career, and he caught the only pass that came his way for a 12-yard touchdown.
The 49ers will lean on Morgan in particular with Edwards out. He's perhaps the most versatile of all the receiver. He played split-end, flanker and the slot positions on Sunday and has been the 49ers receiver in single-wideout situations because he also is a good run blocker.
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Fullback Moran Norris also appears to be ailing as the team prepares for the Cincinnati Bengals. His foot is in an orthopedic boot and he was on crutches on Wednesday. If he can't play, rookie Bruce Miller would fill in at fullback. Newcomer Justin Peelle, a tight end, likely would see a lot of action as well. Peelle was active Sunday against Dallas but did not play.
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Vernon Davis, who was upset with his role following the loss to Dallas, said he hashed things out with Harbaugh this week. "I had on my mind, some of the things we could have done better in the game," Davis said. "I pointed them out to him as far as getting everybody involved. I mean everybody. All the playmakers we have. Because that's what we need to win games. That's what I'm here for to win games."
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