Hill replaces struggling Bruce

SAN FRANCISCO – The 49ers were driving late in the second quarter when veteran Isaac Bruce slipped coming out of his break. Alex Smith’s pass skipped harmlessly out of bounds.

Third-year receiver Jason Hill, who had been a healthy scratch from five of the team’s first seven games and not caught a pass this season, replaced Bruce on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Three plays later, Hill caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith. And Bruce, the 16-year veteran, did not return to the game. Bruce was not among the nine players listed on the 49ers’ postgame injury report, either.

Hill continued in the role of the No. 3 receiver in the second half. He finished with four receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was nice to have him out there,” Smith said. “He and I got a lot of work together the first six weeks of the season, working out there on the scout team together. I’ve got a lot of trust in Jason, and it showed out there today. He’s just one of those guys who continues to keep working and working hard and waiting for his chance. I thought he did a nice job today.”

Bruce lost his starting job on Sunday to Josh Morgan, who started at wide receiver along with rookie Michael Crabtree.

After a strong training camp, Bruce appears to be showing his age this season. He opened the season with a four-catch, 74-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals. But in the past seven games, Bruce has averaged just more than two catches for 24 yards per game.

It was a painful loss for the 49ers, who listed nine players on their preliminary injury report. Safety Michael Lewis and backup running back Glen Coffee are the most questionable for Thursday’s quick turnaround game against the Chicago Bears.

Lewis left the game in the fourth quarter with a left quadriceps strain. Coffee sustained a concussion while blocking on a kickoff return, also in the fourth quarter.

Others on the 49ers’ injury report: running backs Frank Gore (right eye contusion) and Michael Robinson (right shoulder stinger), tight ends Vernon Davis (left shoulder contusion) and Delanie Walker (left knee sprain), guard David Baas (right shoulder stinger), cornerback Tarell Brown (left ribs contusion), and safety Curtis Taylor (right shin contusion).

*Davis had career highs with 10 receptions for 102 yards. He became the first 49ers tight end with 100 yards since Eric Johnson had 162 receiving yards against Arizona in October 2004.

*Crabtree made his home debut with a season-low three catches for 30 yards. “I love the fans,” Crabtree said. “They gave me a lot of support and they gave the team a lot of support. Candlestick has so much history, and I’m just happy to be out here.”

*Alex Smith’s 286 passing yards were the third-most of his career. His 29 completions were a career-high. Smith has 5,369 career passing yards to move past Steve Spurrier and into seventh on the 49ers’ all-time list.

*Punter Andy Lee had a career-best 53.3 net average. He had a 56.7 gross average on three punts.

*Rookie defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois suited up for a regular-season game for the first time, but he did not get into the game. Offensive lineman Chris Patrick and backup quarterback Shaun Hill were the only other active players who did not play.

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