Singletary says few jobs on the line in finale

Singletary says only 1 or 2 jobs on the line in finale

The 49ers’ final exhibition game will have little impact on the team’s final roster, coach Mike Singletary said today.

He said, “I have a very good idea” which players will survive the mandatory cut to 53 players on Saturday. Singletary said there might be only one or two roster spots that hang in the balance when the 49ers hit the field Friday night against the San Diego Chargers.

It’s difficult to say which roster spots are up in the air. In some cases, there are head-to-head battles.

Perhaps, cornerbacks Marcus Hudson and Eric Green are going for the same job. (The 49ers know what they have with Hudson, and I think he makes the team, but they need one more chance to evaluate Green in a game situation.)

At tight end, J.J. Finley and Bear Pascoe are dueling for the same role. Center/guard Matt Spanos or Cody Wallace? Does return man/receiver Micheal Spurlock have a chance if return man/cornerback Allen Rossum makes it?

Is rookie defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois competing against veteran Demetric Evans or would his roster spot come at the expense of depth at another position?

The 49ers like safety Curtis Taylor, a seventh-round draft pick, so would it be too much of a risk to waive him, in hopes he clears waivers, with the idea of placing him on the practice squad?

Those questions will be answered on Saturday.

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Here are a couple guesses, though: I think undrafted rookie running back Kory Sheets makes it, but offensive lineman Alex Boone and fullback Brit Miller could end up on the practice squad.

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Be prepared for the Nate Davis Show on Friday, as the rookie from Ball State will play at least three quarters of the season finale against the Chargers.

In fact, Davis will be the only 49ers quarterback available after starter Shaun Hill exits after the first dozen (or so) plays of the game. Backup quarterback Alex Smith will not play in the game, Singletary said. Smith sustained a thumb sprain while making a tackle Aug. 22 against the Raiders.

Smith would be available to play if this were a regular-season game, Singletary said. But, clearly, the 49ers do not want to take the chance on Smith being unavailable for the season opener Sept. 13. After all, the 49ers enter the final exhibition game with only three quarterbacks after releasing Damon Huard during the week.

Singletary said the 49ers had already made the decision to go with Davis as the No. 3 quarterback, but they thought they’d give Huard a chance to look around to give him a heads-start on finding a job elsewhere.

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The 49ers’ first-team offense will play a series or two, in the neighborhood of 10 to 12 snaps. Hill will start. But running back Frank Gore and receiver Isaac Bruce will not suit up. Offensive linemen Adam Snyder and David Baas, who are coming off injuries, might see a little more action than the other starters.

Singletary said the following players will not take part in Friday’s game:

QB Alex Smith (thumb; he’ll be ready for the backup role for the season opener)

WR Arnaz Battle (shoulder; every indication is he will make the team)

C Cody Wallace (viral meningitis; this is not the serious kind of illness)

LB Ahmad Brooks (knee; is questionable for the season opener)

S Michael Lewis (concussion; his status remains uncertain)

LB Jay Moore (groin; probably won’t make 53-man roster but has practice squad eligibility)

WR Brandon Jones (shoulder; expected to be out of action through September)

WR Isaac Bruce (focusing on regular season)

RB Frank Gore (focusing on regular season)

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The 49ers did not fill the roster spots after tackle Marvel Smith retired and Huard was released. They’re down to 73 players (64 of whom will be in uniform). The club must release 20 players by the Saturday deadline.

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