The 49ers’ already faint passing attack has lost one of its most
explosive options. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has undergone
surgery for an apparent meniscus tear in his right knee.
By Cam Inman – Contra Costa Times
SANTA CLARA
The 49ers’ already faint passing attack has lost one of its most explosive options. Wide receiver Braylon Edwards has undergone surgery for an apparent meniscus tear in his right knee.
“He’s going to be out for a little bit,” coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday. “I hate to speculate (on how long).”
Edwards will miss Sunday’s game at Cincinnati, and perhaps others. The 49ers have four games until their Oct. 23 bye weekend.
Harbaugh noted that Edwards underwent “a little procedure” but did not offer further details. CSN Bay Area reported that Edwards had a torn meniscus, an injury that kept safety Reggie Smith out nearly a month after his Aug. 8 surgery.
Edwards was injured Sunday on the opening series of the 49ers’ 27-24 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He caught a 21-yard pass on third-and-10, then exited the game and walked into the locker room under his own power.
The 49ers signed Edwards, a seventh-year veteran, to a one-year contract Aug. 4. He’s started both games this season, and he had three receptions for 27 yards in an opening win over Seattle.
As one high-profile receiver leaves, another one apparently is returning. Harbaugh expects Michael Crabtree to “most likely” play against the Bengals (1-1). Crabtree missed the Cowboys game after a lingering left foot injury flared up in the opener.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” said Crabtree, who was limited in practice Wednesday. “I can’t go into the future. … You guys ask me the same questions every time. Within three days (of Sunday’s idleness), not too much will change.”
The 49ers (1-1) need their 29th-ranked passing attack to improve behind quarterback Alex Smith. He is listed on the injury report as having sustained a concussion, presumably from Sunday when he got sacked six times. He participated in all of Wednesday’s practice.
As for Smith’s targets, none rank among the league’s top 50 receivers. Tight end Vernon Davis has a team-high seven receptions for 65 yards, and he backed off Sunday’s critical comments of his role.
Harbaugh wouldn’t divulge the details of his one-on-one “football” talk with Davis, who told reporters Wednesday: “I had on my mind things we could have done better in the game, and I pointed them out to him, ways to get everybody involved.”
Davis said he agreed with Harbaugh’s assessment that double-coverage has limited Davis’ opportunities in the passing game, as well as teams taking away the middle of the field. “Last year teams started to do it but backed away from it,” Davis said. “This year, they’re trying to keep their eyes on me.”
Last season was the first where Davis had more than seven catches through his first two games, when he tallied 12 receptions.
Ted Ginn Jr. and Kyle Williams joined Joshua Morgan as wide receivers Sunday once Edwards joined Crabtree on the sideline.
Not only is Edwards out Sunday but so is fullback Moran Norris, because of a fibula injury. Rookie Bruce Miller likely will be the lead blocker for Frank Gore, whose 2.5 yards-per-carry average is the lowest among the league’s top 30 rushers.
“Guys are going to have to step up and be ready to go,” Smith said. “You don’t expect this to happen, but it’s the game of football and you have to deal with injuries.”
Harbaugh’s impression of Smith: “Tough son of a gun. He was making some big time plays. “¦ Pleased with the way Alex is playing, and we definitely want to play better.”
Smith has compiled a solid 95.2 passer rating while completing 70.5 percent of his passes. Thirty quarterbacks have attempted more passes than Smith’s 44.
“Jim Harbaugh is doing an excellent job of playing to Alex’s strength,” said cornerback Nate Clements, who joined the Bengals after the 49ers released him July 30. “Just look at (Smith), he has a higher completion percentage, which is key for a quarterback.”
Smith said he isn’t jealous of other quarterbacks around the league who are piling up passing yards.
“(I am) happy to do whatever it takes to get the win,” Smith said. “In the end, that’s how quarterbacks truly get evaluated.”
