49ers Hot Reads: Crabtree preparing to start

]While many of his teammates got their minds off football, Josh Morgan assisted new teammate Michael Crabtree with the 49ers’ playbook.

You see, who better to help Crabtree learn the “X” position than the guy who started the 49ers’ first five games in that spot? In other words, Morgan is grooming the rookie to ... “take my spot,” Morgan said, finishing the sentence his interviewer began.

The 49ers apparently are intent on seeing a quick return on their investment in Crabtree, the No. 10 overall pick in the draft. When the 49ers play the Houston Texans on Sunday, Crabtree will be in the starting lineup, Morgan said he has been told.

“I’m helping him learn my position and take my position,” Morgan said. “It is what it is. If he can help us win, I’m all right with that.

They gave him my spot. So if he’s going to be in there, I might as well help him out so I can make sure he gets it right.”

Coach Mike Singletary stopped short of guaranteeing Crabtree will be in the starting lineup alongside veteran Isaac Bruce when The Press Democrat asked him about Morgan’s remarks. But Singletary confirmed there is a “strong possibility” that Crabtree will start when he makes his NFL debut.

Singletary said his only hesitancy in making the move is the message it would send to have Crabtree immediately surpass five receivers on the roster after missing 71 days in a contract stalemate. Singletary also said he is sensitive to how the move would affect Morgan’s development.

Morgan, a second-year professional, has 13 receptions for 202 yards and one touchdown on the season. But Morgan seemed to be taking the apparent demotion in stride.

“I know all three positions, so I was trying to teach him everything I know about the X,” Morgan said. “It’s the business, man. I’m blessed. I ain’t worried about it.”

Crabtree worked out with Morgan and running back Frank Gore over the bye week. Backup quarterback Alex Smith threw passes to Crabtree on Thursday. The next day, assistant trainer Nate Breske was put to work throwing balls to Crabtree. Breske was a two-year starting quarterback at Northern State (S.D.) University.

Starting quarterback Shaun Hill said he started zeroing in on Crabtree on Monday, when the 49ers had a walk-through practice.

“I’m very impressed with how much he’s learned since he’s been here,” Hill said. “He came back in and was able to pick it up. I feel very comfortable that he’s going to know everything he has to know for this game.”

Hill’s first impression of Crabtree is that he plays bigger than his actual size. Crabtree is listed at 6-foot-1, 214 pounds.

“You see him and you think he’s a little on the short side, but you see him out there playing with his hands out and his arms out, he’s a big target,” Hill said. “He has very strong hands to the ball. He really attacks the ball. He’s going to be good for us.”

MORE CHANGES

Singletary announced second-year player Chilo Rachal, who started the first five games of the season, will split time at right guard with Adam Snyder, who started the first five games at right tackle.

Veteran Tony Pashos, whom the 49ers signed at the end of training camp, will take over the full-time chores at right tackle. He rotated into games with Snyder at right tackle the past four games.

“We want our best five on the field, and we feel like Snyder alternating with Chilo will be good for us to find out who is best at that position,” Singletary said.

RUNNING TIME

Rookie defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois missed his flight back to the Bay Area after he got away for the bye weekend. He missed the team’s walk-through practice Monday morning, a team source said.

Jean-Francois will be fined an undisclosed amount, and Singletary will have him “run until he can’t walk” to complete the disciplinary action, the source said.

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