SANTA CLARA – The NFL informed the 49ers on Tuesday that wide receiver Braylon Edwards will not be suspended for a DUI incident that occurred a year ago when he was a member of the New York Jets.
Edwards, who pleaded guilty to the charges in July, instead was fined $50,000 for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Edwards, who finished with 904 yards and a 17.1 yards-per-catch average last season, is expected to be one of Alex Smith's top targets this season. He did not start any of the team's preseason games, although he rotated in with the first unit.
While Joshua Morgan is listed as one starter at wide receiver on the 49ers' weekly release, the other spot is listed as "Ted Ginn OR Braylon Edwards." Given Jim Harbaugh's penchant for secrecy, that "either/or" designation likely will remain despite the news that Edwards won't miss the game for the DUI violation.
Edwards also officially changed his number Tuesday from No. 81 to No. 17, which he wore in Cleveland and New York.
Garrard a QB candidate? – Quarterback David Garrard, who drew a positive review from then-Raiders assistant Harbaugh when Garrard entered the draft in 2002, was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday. Garrard was blindsided by the decision, his agent said, and he will take a day or so before deciding his next move. The 49ers, meanwhile, have two rookies behind Smith on the depth chart.
Numbers – Edwards wasn't the only 49er to change his number. Starting center Jonathan Goodwin will wear No. 59, new linebacker Tavares Gooden will have No. 56 and backup defensive linemen Ian Williams and Demarcus Dobbs will don Nos. 93 and 96, respectively.
Linebacker Antwan Applewhite, who wore No. 96 in the preseason, was released Tuesday.
... and more numbers – New quarterback Scott Tolzien, who wore No. 16 at Wisconsin last year, said he went into the equipment room and asked for that number. Told it wasn't available, Tolzien demanded, "No, I want 16!"
He was joking, of course.
He'll wear No. 3, which – fittingly – was Joe Montana's jersey number at Notre Dame.
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