With Crabtree ready, what happens to Jones?

<p>SANTA CLARA — The 49ers' top-two paid wide receivers are finally ready to contribute.</p><p>Rookie receiver Michael Crabtree might be in the starting lineup when he makes his NFL debut. At the very least, he will get a lot of playing time Sunday against the Houston Texans.</p><p>Meanwhile, the team's big free-agent acquisition, Brandon Jones, has been healthy for more than a month. Yet, there are no assurances that he will be in uniform for the game.</p><p>When Jones signed a five-year, $16.5 million contract that included $5.4 million in guaranteed money in March, he figured to be a major contributor. Shortly thereafter, Sports Illustrated reported Jones did not get “high marks” from the coaching staff when he was evaluated as a free agent.</p><p>Jones appeared to get off to a good start in training camp. But he sustained a broken right shoulder blade while diving for a pass in the end zone on Aug. 6. He returned to practice after the first regular season game, but was inactive for the next two games.</p><p>Jones made his debut Oct. 4 against the St. Louis Rams. He has played the past two games but has yet to catch a pass. Now, he is trying to find playing time on special teams after Crabtree leap-frogged him on the depth chart.</p><p>“I really haven't been told anything about getting more playing time, besides helping out on special teams to get on the field, and things like that,” Jones said.</p><p>Jones played his first four NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Last year, he started seven games and caught 41 passes for 449 yards and one touchdown.</p><p>“I thought I was going to have a big role back in March when I signed here, but definitely in training camp,” Jones said. “You're out there playing, thinking you'd have a role. Things happened, and I ended up injured.”</p><h3>GORE PRACTICES</h3> <p>Running back Frank Gore, who missed the past two games with a bum right ankle, went through a full practice Wednesday and is expected to be in the starting lineup Sunday.</p><p>The 49ers announced that safety Reggie Smith will not play this week. He sustained a severe groin strain Sept. 27 against the Vikings. Also, safety Michael Lewis was limited in work because of the concussion he sustained Oct. 11 against the Falcons. Veteran Mark Roman is the first safety off the sideline, so he would start if Lewis is unavailable.</p><p>Defensive end Ray McDonald (ankle) and cornerback Tarell Brown (illness) were limited in practice.</p><h3>ROOKIE INITIATION</h3> <p>Coach Mike Singletary said Crabtree has received a fair share of ribbing since reporting to the team. His new teammates demanded Crabtree sing “Happy Birthday” to Singletary last week.</p><p>And how is Crabtree's singing?</p><p>“Awful,” Singletary said.</p><p>“But not one time did he complain. Not one time did he show any body language of ‘I'm above this.' He's been a team guy since he's been here,” Singletary said.</p><h3>EXTRA POINTS</h3> <p>The 49ers signed running back Keon Lattimore to the practice squad to fill the spot vacated when the Miami Dolphins signed Kory Sheets to their 53-man roster. Lattimore has spent the past two training camps with the Cowboys. He is a younger brother of Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.</p><p>Offensive lineman Adam Snyder, who left the Oct. 11 game against the Falcons with a thigh contusion, said he will begin wearing thigh pads. He said he felt the pads limited his mobility. He is on the move this week after shifting from right tackle to right guard, where he said he will be doing more pulling on run plays.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco via e-mail at matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>