49ers notes: Harbaugh says he has no issue with Fisher remark on errant pitch

SANTA CLARA – Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he didn't think Jeff Fisher was needling him and the 49ers when the St. Louis coach questioned the fourth-quarter pitch-option play that turned out so disastrous Sunday.

"I don't know what they were trying to do accomplish there, but we took advantage of one of their mistakes," Fisher said after the game.

Harbaugh said he thought Fisher merely was being quizzical.

"That's the low-hanging fruit – 'What the heck were they doing?' " Harbaugh said. "But again, you learn from it. It's like somebody reached into your chest and stomach and started pulling the innards out without using any anesthesia. All you can do is learn."

Harbaugh reiterated he deserved the brunt of the blame for that play.

But he said there were some things quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose pitch sailed over wide receiver Ted Ginn, could learn as well.

"The play we called in the huddle was a loser, and we didn't have an audible for that play," he said. "But also, when the play is going bad, try not to make it any worse. It's a good thing to learn, too."

Wideout woes – The 49ers practiced without starting wide receiver Mario Manningham, who left Sunday's game because of a shoulder injury. The team already is without wide receiver Kyle Williams, who had surgery Wednesday to repair a torn ACL and is out for the season.

Those injuries could provide first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins with his first snaps of the season. Jenkins usually plays the role of one of the opposition's receivers in practice – and wears that player's jersey number – but he was in his own No. 17 jersey when practice began Wednesday.

The 49ers also have two ailing cornerbacks. Starter Tarell Brown (hamstring) did not practice, while No. 3 cornerback Chris Culliver (illness) was limited. That means Perrish Cox and Tramaine Brock could have bigger roles Sunday against Miami.

Snappy comeback – Two of Kaepernick's biggest mistakes – an interception against New Orleans and the botched pitch – have come after he gathered in low shotgun snaps from center Jonathan Goodwin.

Harbaugh said those snaps must improve.

"That's an issue," Harbaugh said. "It's tough for a quarterback, even on a pass play, to go down below the knees to get a ball, and then come up and get his eyes focused on where they need to be. So, we're working on correcting that."

• Read more articles by Matthew Barrows

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