49ers' Walker showcases versatility with kickoff return

SAN FRANCISCO — Delanie Walker is listed as a tight end, but he takes pride in his versatility.

After all, he says he’s really a tight end/H-back/fullback/slot receiver.

Oh, yeah, and you can add kickoff returner to his job description, too.

Walker made a case Friday night in the 49ers’ exhibition final against the San Diego Chargers to get more action on kickoff returns once the regular season begins.

He returned a second-quarter kickoff 101 yards for a touchdown with the help of Michael Robinson’s pancake block. Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding had a chance to prevent the touchdown, but he wisely opted to avoid the contact and let Walker have his touchdown.

“I knew he wasn’t going to tackle me,” Walker said. “He wasn’t really coming at me like he wanted to tackle me. I was going to give him a move, but once I saw him slow up, I just kept running — just turned on the burners.”

Walker has seen some action on kickoff returns in each of his three exhibition seasons. During the regular season a year ago he averaged 21.0 yards on three kickoff returns.

The 49ers signed veteran free agent Allen Rossum in the offseason to handle the return duties. Rossum returned a punt for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers in the 49ers’ second exhibition game.

Rossum sat out Friday’s game with a back/ribs contusion sustained in last week’s game against the Chicago Bears. Rossum is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

MOORE OUT

Outside linebacker Jay Moore sustained a torn right biceps, and is likely out for the season. Moore, a fourth-round pick in the 2007 draft, was not expected to make the 49ers’ 53-man roster. He could be placed on injured reserve with the 49ers retaining his rights for another season.

Moore spent his first NFL season on injured reserve after sustaining an ankle sprain in the 49ers’ final exhibition game — also against the Chargers. Moore is under contract to the 49ers through 2010.

EXTRA POINTS

David Baas, who was activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list, started at left guard in place of Adam Snyder (ankle). Veteran Barry Sims got his second consecutive start at right tackle for Jonas Jennings (hand). Other 49ers who did not suit up were Rossum, S Keith Lewis (illness) and WR Josh Morgan (illness).

Chargers players who did not suit up included QB Philip Rivers, RB LaDainian Tomlinson, LB Shawne Merriman, C Nick Hardwick, T Marcus McNeill, DT Jamal Williams, TE Antonio Gates, and WRs Vincent Jackson, Buster Davis and Chris Chambers.

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.