Lelie is pushing Jacobs at No. 3 wide receiver

SANTA CLARA -- Taylor Jacobs is officially still the 49ers' No. 3 receiver, but Ashley Lelie is and coming on fast.

In fact, coach Mike Nolan said Monday that Lelie would be the primary backup at the split-end receiver position, where Darrell Jackson is the starter and Jacobs would be the first one in if Arnaz Battle got hurt at flanker.

"It could be either one of those guys," Nolan said when asked who he'd go with in three-receiver sets. "Taylor's probably half a step ahead."

A month ago, the gap was considerably wider than a half-step.

Jacobs had been the surprise of spring and summer practices and had taken control of the No. 3 spot. But he did not carry that momentum into the exhibition games, catching only two passes for 22 yards in four outings. To be fair, he showed up for one of the games without any sleep following the birth of his son.

Lelie, meanwhile, started near the bottom of the depth chart after sitting out spring practices with a quadriceps injury. On game days, however, he excelled, leading 49ers wide receivers this summer with 12 catches for 142 yards.

Lelie said Monday he's content with his current spot on the depth chart but plans to continue his ascent. He has received a few repetitions with quarterback Alex Smith, but not enough.

"It's never enough, but I got a lot of reps today," said Lelie, who, along with Jacobs, filled in for Jackson, who was resting his sore hamstring.

Lelie also said he expected to be used differently than he had in previous stops in Denver in Atlanta. Those teams, he said, usually sent him deep whether they planned to throw to him or not. The 49ers have had him run more short routes and crossing patterns. In other words, he's not merely a decoy.

"The way they've used me in the preseason -- I barely went deep," he said.

Too many captains -- The NFL this year is allowing five players per team to wear a "C" on their jerseys that designates them as a team captain. Nolan, however, said the 49ers will go "C"-less.

The problem, he said, is that the 49ers have 10 captains: Walt Harris, Jonas Jennings, Derek Smith, Marques Douglas, Nate Clements, Battle, Eric Heitmann, Moran Norris, Trent Dilfer and Joe Nedney. Nolan didn't want to narrow that list to five, so he decided not to have anyone wear the "C."

Injuries -- Frank Gore (hand) practiced Monday, but fellow starters Jackson (hamstring), Jennings (ankle) and Aubrayo Franklin (knee) did not take part in the full session. Nolan said only one player, safety Dashon Goldson (elbow), has been ruled out for Monday's game against Arizona.

About the writer:

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