The 49ers today re-signed linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who was waived last week in order to promote receiver Chris Hannon from the practice squad to the active roster. The 49ers were short on receivers, and Brooks' return means that at least one of the injured wideouts -- likely Arnaz Battle -- will be back this week. Hannon had to be waived in order to make room. I keep hearing that Brooks will get his chance to play "soon." The one-time Bengals linebacker has been playing defensive end in practice on the 49ers' scout team, but he likely would be an outside linebacker if he were to appear in a regular game. Parys Haralson and Roderick Green played well against the Bills Sunday. My guess is that if Brooks were to receive playing time it would come at the expense of Tully Banta-Cain.
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Nate Clements was added to the injury report with a thumb injury. He shouldn't miss any time, but you have to wonder how it will affect the cornerback's ability to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage. Also, should Battle return, he likely would replace Clements as the No. 2 punt returner behind Allen Rossum, who missed Sunday's game with an ankle injury.
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It seems that Barrows jumped the gun by declaring that Delanie Walker could become the first tight end to return a kick for a touchdown. What I should have written is that Walker could become the first tight end to return a kick for a long touchdown. According to STATS LLC, three tight ends have wound up in the end zone with the ball after recovering on-side kicks:
- Casey FitzSimmons - Detroit, September 30, 2007 vs. Chicago - 41 yards
- Derrick Jensen - Oakland, December 21, 1980 vs. NY Giants - 33 yards
- Randall Williams - Dallas, October 12, 2003 vs. Philadelphia - 37 yards (Andy Reid onside-kicked to start the game)
-- Matt Barrows
