Seven-year pro Battle may be moving from WR to punt returner

SANTA CLARA — While one door is closing for wide receiver Arnaz Battle, another opened with the 49ers' decision to release return specialist Allen Rossum.

Battle has been the 49ers' No. 3 receiver. But that role is likely to change with the addition of rookie Michael Crabtree, the No. 10 overall pick in the draft.

And that isn't the only additional obstacle for Battle. Crabtree's arrival comes at a time when high-priced free-agent pickup Brandon Jones rounds into shape after missing extended time with a broken shoulder blade.

Sure, it's been a frustrating time for Battle, but he has maintained his smile and a good sense of humor.

The 49ers under offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye are throwing fewer passes to their wideouts than any team in the league. Battle, Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan are the only 49ers wide receivers who have caught passes in the first five games.

Yet, the 49ers have seven receivers on their 53-man roster.

“Yeah, seven,” Battle said, laughing. “Last year we had five (receivers) and that was with (Mike) Martz, and we threw the ball a lot. So it's backwards. It's frustrating, but what can you do?”

Battle, a seventh-year pro in the final year of his contract with the 49ers, was the team's primary punt returner in 2004. He averaged a solid 8.6 yards on 31 returns with a touchdown.

But he returned only 12 punts over the next four seasons. Now, Battle appears to have regained his role from five years ago. Understandably, he looked out of practice two weeks ago when he muffed two punts against the St. Louis Rams at Candlestick Park.

“You just have to get back in the comfort zone of doing it in the games,” Battle said. “In that first game, I struggled with the wind a little bit and adjusting to the ball. But it'll come around. I'll be ready to go.”

Battle said he is ready for just about anything, including the NFL trade deadline on Oct. 20. Already this week, the 49ers have released Rossum, activated Crabtree and allowed practice-squad running back Kory Sheets to sign with the Miami Dolphins.

“You never know what's going to happen,” Battle said. “Any time a player is on the field, he knows it's on tape and he wants to put positive things out there. If it's a trade or playing my contract out and having an opportunity to reach free agency, when I have an opportunity to get on the field, I want it to be positive.”

Sheets will get his opportunity with another organization. When Frank Gore was lost for at least two games with an ankle injury, coach Mike Singletary cited Sheets' faulty blitz pickup as the reason he was not activated for a spot on the 49ers' 53-man roster.

The Dolphins signed Sheets after running back Patrick Cobbs was lost to a season-ending knee injury Monday night. Sheets exchanged handshakes and hugs in the 49ers' locker room upon learning he was moving to Miami.

“I like it here,” Sheets said. “The players were cool, the coaches were cool and I put in the work here but unfortunately it's one of those things. It's how the business goes.”

Sheets, an undrafted rookie from Purdue, rushed for 177 yards on 39 carries (4.5 average) and three touchdowns in the exhibition season.

GORE MENTORS CRABTREE

Gore will remain in the Bay Area to continue to receive treatment on his right ankle. Gore has missed two games with the injury, but said he expects to play Oct. 25 when the 49ers return to action against the Houston Texans after the bye week.

Gore said he will offer as much help as possible over the weekend to Crabtree, who will continue to study the offense. Gore was seen speaking with Crabtree on the sideline Sunday when they were inactive for the 49ers' game against the Atlanta Falcons.

“He asked me about playing in the NFL,” Gore said. “I told him it's tough when you don't know what you're doing. But when you know the offense, and you know what you're doing, it's just football again. If you don't know what you're doing, it seems real fast.”

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