Coach Mike Singletary did his Wednesay morning gaggle with reporters.
The 49ers’ preliminary injury report for today (the team practices from 1:45 to 3:45 p.m.) looks like this:
Not scheduled to practice: CB Nate Clements (slight fracture of left thumb), KR/PR Allen Rossum (ankle), S Michael Lewis (abdomin) and CB Walt Harris (rest). Rossum’s availability for Sunday’s game is up in the air. The others are expected to play.
Limited practice: WR Arnaz Battle (foot), WR Josh Morgan (groin) and S Dashon Goldson (knee). All three of these gentlemen are questionable for Sunday’s game.
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Singletary said he’s able to lead and be a motivational speaker for the team because of his coaching staff. He said his staff has been outstanding. As for the players, Singletary said he can’t motivate anyone who isn’t already excited about doing his job.
–Battle will likely return to the slot position when he’s healthy. Singletary called Battle “one of our guys.” He said he has a lot of intangibles. As for Jason Hill, who has played the slot in Battle’s absence, Singletary said the game is slowing down for him and his eyes are not as big as they were when he was elevated into a significant role early last month.
–Singletary settled on Clements to return punts last week because ST coordinator Al Everest convinced him that Clements was the best man for the job. Clements might not be able to perform that duty with a slight thumb fracture. He’ll wear a splint for a while. Singletary mentioned Michael Robinson and Isaac Bruce as others who might be looked to return punts if neither Rossum nor Battle can go.
–Singletary praised the improvement made from Chilo Rachal. He noted, in particular, a “devastating block” he had on Bills DE Chris Kelsay.
–Singletary said he’s “having the time of my life” as head coach. “This is what I was born to do — there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind.”
–He also spoke about his outward sign of religion. He wears a large wooden cross outside his coaching attire. He said he begins and ends every day in prayer. He said he wears the cross on the sideline to allow him to remember who he is, and so he does not lose his mind and become somebody else.”
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