Niners look to youth at receiver

SANTA CLARA — Jason Hill wants to make things difficult on the 49ers’ coaching staff.

In a good way, that is.

Hill is filling in for injured Arnaz Battle as the team’s No. 3 receiver. But that is not the way he sees it. Just like Mike Singletary, Hill wants to remove the “interim” from his title, too.

“I’m going to try to not give them any reason to take the spot from me even when Arnaz comes back,” Hill said Friday afternoon.

When the 49ers take the field Monday night against the Arizona Cardinals, the youngsters will have an expanded role. Hill is scheduled to get the most playing time in his career, while rookie Josh Morgan has officially taken over for veteran Bryant Johnson at split end.

“I’m excited, first of all, to see them get the opportunity, (and) next of all, to take advantage of it,” said Singletary, the 49ers’ interim head coach. “I know they’re talented guys. They make it happen out here and, of course, in the game situations, particularly a Monday night, we’ll see if they’re ready for that step. After the game I’m sure we’ll all know.”

Starting flanker Isaac Bruce, who turns 36 on Monday, is midway through his 15th NFL seasons. Hill and Morgan have combined for two years of professional experience. And nobody knows quite what to expect.

The 49ers have routinely missed since 1996 when it came to drafting wide receivers. After selecting Terrell Owens in the third round of the ’96 draft, the 49ers have chosen 12 wideouts. Ten of those players are no longer around.

Hill, a third-round pick in 2007, and Morgan, a sixth-rounder, should get plenty of chances to show what they can do. Hill played only 30 snaps of offense last season as a rookie.

“This is probably the best opportunity he’s had, but we’ll see,” 49ers receivers coach Jerry Sullivan said. “I’m not going to pass any judgment until I see him do it in a game.”

Said Hill, “Now is the time for me. I’m getting more and more comfortable in the offense. I’ve been patient. I’m calm and collected, but I wanted my turn, and now I have that opportunity.”

Morgan had a strong training camp, but his development was derailed when he lost 15 pounds with a staph infection. He has slowly worked into the mix to supplant Johnson as the starter.

Morgan has 11 catches for 160 yards and a touchdown, but he has also dropped three passes.

“Josh has kind of been up and down a little,” 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. “Our expectations for Josh are to be an elite player. I think he can do that. He just needs to move in that direction now.”

EXTRA POINTS

There’s a lot more than football on the mind of Martz this week. His 38-year-old nephew, Steve Martz, was shot in the torso Sunday morning in Northern Mexico as he was riding his motorcycle with friends in preparation for a SCORE race, which will be held in Baja California later this month. He was transported to a hospital in Tijuana, where his spleen was removed.

“He was in critical care for a day or so, and then they airlifted him into San Diego, and he’s recovering pretty well right now,” Martz said. “He’ll probably be in the hospital another seven days or so.”

Adam Snyder is schedule to start Monday’s game at right tackle, with Jonas Jennings taking over as the backup at both tackle positions, Singletary said.

First-year receiver Dominique Zeigler might be promoted from the practice squad because of Battle’s injury. Zeigler, who led the 49ers with 15 receptions in the exhibition season, has regularly stood out on the practice field for his acrobatic catches during his two seasons on the practice squad.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@press