Morgan making most of chances

<p>SANTA CLARA — Wide receivers are generally the least-prepared rookies at the opening of training camp. </p><p>But Josh Morgan had a good idea what to expect this summer after joining the 49ers as a sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech. </p><p>“Vernon (Davis) and I have the same personal trainer, so we worked out a lot together,” Morgan said. “We ran a whole lot. If you want to be part of the ‘Greatest Show on Turf,’ you have to be able to run all the routes.”</p><p>Morgan will get a chance to run a few more routes in a starting role this evening when the 49ers play the Green Bay Packers at Candlestick Park. Morgan trotted out with the 49ers’ No. 1 offense last week against the Raiders and caught a game-high four passes for 68 yards in his exhibition debut.</p><p>The 49ers had no reason to expect big things from Morgan in his first training camp. After all, they had a veteran group of wide receivers that figured to make it difficult for Morgan to get on the field.</p><p>But three veterans projected to be on the team’s final 53-man roster have missed significant practice time because of muscle pulls — Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle and Ashley Lelie.</p><p>“The lack of consistency in who’s out there practicing is what everyone faces, and we’re facing a little bit of this,” 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. “It gives a chance to some guys who normally wouldn’t have reps, like Josh Morgan — he’s a great example. </p><p>“If that was a healthy crew, he probably wouldn’t have gotten as many reps as he’s gotten so far. Because of it, in the short period, he looks like he’s going to make us a better football team.”</p><p>Battle is the only receiver who has been a starter with the 49ers in the past. Morgan has a chance to make an impact as a rookie. The last time the 49ers had at least 15 catches from a rookie receiver was in 1996 when Terrell Owens hauled in 35 receptions. </p><p>When asked if Morgan could win a starting job, Nolan said, “Could? Sure. It would be one thing if the people he’s competing with at that position were established.”</p><p>Morgan accepted the increased workload and he has not let up. He has the size (6 feet, 219 pounds) to catch balls in traffic. And he has the speed (4.47 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to work down the field.</p><p>The most impressive thing about Morgan has been his durability through three weeks of training camp. He did a lot of track workouts with personal trainer Myron Flowers, who also trains tight end Davis in the Washington area, in preparation for training camp.</p><p>Morgan began camp behind Johnson at split end, but is now getting an opportunity to show his stuff in the exhibition season. Johnson, a free-agent pickup from the Arizona Cardinals, went down Aug. 4 with a hamstring strain.</p><p>“Josh is doing a great job,” Johnson said. “His learning curve is better than some might have anticipated. He’s picking up on everything and his playmaking ability has definitely shown.”</p><p>Morgan played the first half of last week’s game at the Oakland Coliseum, but he continued to do everything but run the routes in the second half. Morgan stood on the sidelines and visualized he was still in the game. He practiced recognizing coverages as if he were running the routes.</p><p>His work has gotten the attention of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who likes to put players through as much stress and pressure as possible during training camp. Morgan has already proved his mettle enough to get Martz to back off. </p><p>“(He’s) just doing everything that the coaches are asking him to do,” said 49ers quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, who is scheduled to start tonight’s game.</p><p>“That’s really the best compliment you can get right now. We’re trying to get on the same page as the coaching staff and trying to do exactly what they’re asking us to do, and Josh is doing that perfectly. And we just need to keep doing it.”</p><h3>NOTES</h3> <p>Second-year CB Tarell Brown did not practice Friday after sustaining a hip injury in Thursday’s practice. His status for tonight’s game is uncertain.</p><p>The 49ers announced six players will not suit up tonight: Johnson, Battle and Lelie, as well as RB Michael Robinson, G David Baas and S Lewis Baker.</p><p>WR Isaac Bruce is slated to start, but he and RB Frank Gore are not expected to get as much playing time as the rest of the starting unit. </p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at 49ers.pressdemocrat.com. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com</p>