It's been an uphill battle for 49ers receiver

<p>SANTA CLARA — Receiver Jason Hill has found himself at the bottom of the 49ers' depth chart for the first three weeks of the season.</p><p>And he could not help but wonder what happens when ... if ... the club ever signs first-round pick Michael Crabtree.</p><p>“I look at the numbers, just about every day, especially not (suiting) up,” Hill said Thursday. “Yeah, you think about the numbers. It's part of it. It's a numbers game most of the time.”</p><p>Hill thought his numbers looked good heading into his third NFL season. A third-round pick in the 2007 draft, Hill appeared to blossom in the second half of last season. When given an opportunity to play as the No. 3 wideout after Arnaz Battle's foot injury, Hill caught 30 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the final 8½ games.</p><p>But Hill has again been relegated to after-thought status in the first three games of the season. He is healthy. But he failed to convince the coaching staff he deserves to be one of the 45 players to suit up for games.</p><p>“It's the most frustrating time I've had so far in my career because I thought last year I earned something,” said Hill, a native San Franciscan. “Not being able to suit up, not be out there with my guys getting that big opening win in Arizona, it hurt.”</p><p>Hill had plenty of time to ponder his future. He often told family and friends during training camp to prepare for the possibility that he will be playing elsewhere this season.</p><p>He figures to be playing at Candlestick Park on Sunday, though as Hill said, he believes he will make his season debut against the St. Louis Rams. Hill said he is working on various special teams units, which is generally a clear indication he will be active for the upcoming game.</p><p>It will also give him a chance to stop thinking about the future. After all, he has been the sixth wide receiver since the opening of the season. If Crabtree signs, he is likely to take the roster spot of another wideout.</p><p>“Now that I'll be up, I don't think I'll worry about the numbers at all,” Hill said. “I think I'll just worry about making plays, like I've been doing.”</p><p>Hill said he spoke recently with coach Mike Singletary, who told him he needs to practice like he plays in order to earn the right to suit up for games.</p><p>“I'm a great practice player,” Hill said. “That's why it was surprising to hear him say that. I thought I was making plays when I had an opportunity.</p><p>“I want to make sure when they watch the defensive film or the offensive film, they see me. Whether it's scout team, regular team, special teams, whatever, make sure I stand out like I do in the games.”</p><p>Singletary said Hill fell behind entering training camp because of offseason injuries that limited his work during minicamps and organized team activities.</p><p>“Jason Hill was injured with a hamstring, a groin, a this, a that and missed a lot of time,” Singletary said. “The thing in the National Football League is the things you did the year before are outstanding, it's great, but it only counts last year. Going forward, everybody has to earn that spot.”</p><p>It's uncertain how much playing time Hill will receive Sunday behind starters Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan. Arnaz Battle is the only other 49ers wideout to catch a pass this season. Also, the team's highest-paid receiver, Brandon Jones, is likely to be active this week after being out since Aug. 6 with a broken right shoulder.</p><p>“It's tough,” Hill said. “You have to battle, whether it's special teams or the one or two opportunities you might get in a game and try to make the best of it.</p><p>“I think as the offense evolves we'll use the wideouts a little more. Teams will start keying on Vernon a little more, so it'll open things up for the wide receivers, eventually. You have to hold fast to what you're doing now and hope it'll pay off later.”</p><h3>EXTRA POINTS</h3> <p>Left tackle Joe Staley (thigh), left guard David Baas (ankle) and linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (thigh) saw limited practice Thursday, but each is expected to be available for Sunday's game.</p><p>Rams quarterback Marc Bulger missed his second day of work with a right shoulder injury. Cal product Kyle Boller, a seventh-year pro, is likely to get his first start with the Rams. Boller started 42 games with the Baltimore Ravens after being a first-round draft pick 2003.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.press</p><p>democrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via e-mail at matt.maiocco@press</p><p>democrat.com.</p>