SANTA CLARA – Cornerback Nate Clements has returned 72 punts during his career, but 49ers interim coach Mike Singletary on Thursday said he was hesitant to risk his top cornerback as a return man Sunday.
"That's happened before in situations where you put a valuable corner out there and you're trying to make something happen on a punt and you lose a guy," Singletary said. "Now you've got to play the rest of the year without him. That's not something … I don't think that's very smart."
The problem is that the team's regular returner, Allen Rossum, is out for the game because of an ankle injury and Arnaz Battle, the team's other option, will be a game-time decision because of a foot injury. Battle, who has 37 career punt returns, went through individual drills Thursday for the second day in a row but did not participate in team drills.
Singletary said wide receivers Dominique Zeigler and Josh Morgan would be possibilities if Battle can't play. That, however, would be a risky proposition in windy Buffalo considering that neither has experience handling punts in the NFL.
"I think I returned one in high school, maybe," Zeigler said. "It'll be fun. To me, I just treat it like playing center field in baseball."
Morgan returned 14 punts during his career at Virginia Tech. He is coming back from a groin injury, however, and there's no assurance he will play Sunday. Like Battle, Morgan went through a limited practice Thursday.
Zeigler also could see plenty of action at wide receiver. Jason Hill, Battle's backup, hurt his groin in Thursday's practice. The injury did not force him out of practice, however, and he will be re-evaluated today.
Hot corner – Starting cornerback Walt Harris went through a limited practice Thursday, but Singletary said Harris' tender hamstring would make him a game-time decision Sunday.
Second-year player Tarell Brown is a "strong possibility" for the role if Harris is unable to play, Singletary said.
"I can tell you this, he's just getting better every day," Singletary said of Brown. "He's working hard. He's a competitor. He's doing what he's supposed to do. He's doing great on special teams. He's working his tail off. So I'm really happy for him. He's doing some good things."
Other injuries – Inside linebackers Patrick Willis (ankle) and Takeo Spikes (rest) returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday.
Read Matthew Barrows' 49ers blog at www.sacbee.com/ninersblog.
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