49ers WR Jackson stays healthy in camp

SANTA CLARA -- Darrell Jackson didn't exactly embrace offseason workouts his past few years in Seattle, but 49ers coach Mike Nolan said he has been happy with his new No. 1 wide receiver's practice habits so far this summer.

Nolan said Friday that he had a recent discussion with Jackson about how Jackson approached training camp practices. But the conversation wasn't about Jackson's attitude. Rather, the meeting also included trainer Jeff Ferguson and involved how much Jackson should participate in practice.

Jackson missed the final three games of the 2006 season with a turf-toe injury. He also missed 10 games in 2005 with a knee injury that required surgery, and the 49ers' strategy is to monitor the seven-year veteran's workload to make sure he remains injury-free and fresh.

Nolan said the situation is similar to that of the team's other starting wide receiver, Arnaz Battle, whose sore knees require that he take a practice off every so often.

"He's got a quiet toughness about him that I really like," Nolan said of Jackson.

Jackson said Friday he was dealing with the normal training camp discomfort -- sore feet and shoulders -- but that he mostly felt healthy.

"My toe really hasn't been an issue so far," he said. "My knee's holding up pretty well. I don't want to jinx myself, but everything's going pretty well. We're just trying to maintain and get to the season so we can have a productive year."

Jackson also rejected the notion, suggested in a national publication last week, that he has been resistant to the 49ers' practice tradition that calls for a receiver to finish every play by running 30 yards downfield.

"I don't know where that came from," Jackson said. "I guess someone was just trying to start something. As a receiver, you always finish downfield. That's how it's been forever. Whether you're hurt or not, you finish the play on out.

"Actually, 30 yards is shorter than I used to go. I used to take it to the goal line almost every play. Here -- that's a break for me."

Back in action -- With Frank Gore (hand) out for Monday night's exhibition opener against Denver, Nolan said the 49ers probably would use a running back-by-committee approach against the Broncos.

Michael Robinson will be one of those running backs. Robinson, who was a quarterback at Penn State, said his goal is to prove to the coaching staff that he is reliable enough to be the team's No. 2 running back.

"I just want to show that, God forbid that anything should ever happen to Frank, that they can count on me," Robinson said.

The other running backs on the roster are Maurice Hicks, Thomas Clayton and Arkee Whitlock.

About the writer:

• The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@ sacbee.com.