 San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears Notes
San Fran 49ers - QB Rotation: J.T. O'Sullivan (1st half), Alex Smith (3rd Q), Shaun Hill (4th Q), Kyle Wright (see below).
HC Mike Nolan Nolan said that J.T. O'Sullivan will start for the third straight exhibition game against the Bears in Chicago on Thursday. Alex Smith again will provide middle relief in the third quarter, and Shaun Hill will be the closer.
Wide receivers thin: WRs Arnaz Battle, Bryant Johnson, Ashley Lelie and Jerard Rabb won't play in Chicago because of injuries, but Mike Nolan said he hoped to have all of them back for the San Diego game.
The 49ers' banged-up offensive line sustained another hit Tuesday when left guard Adam Snyder injured his right ankle and won't play. Snyder's play as the starting left guard hasn't been terribly impressive in the first two exhibitions. That has led to speculation he eventually might be replaced by Tony Wragge, who has performed well at right guard in relief of David Baas. Baas tore his pectoral tendon while lifting weights last April and hasn't practiced since then.
Mike Martz is the new offensive coordinator. Martz is intent on making TE Vernon Davis a focal point of the offense.
Chicago Bears - QB Rotation: Kyle Orton (first half +), Rex Grossman (3rd Q), Caleb Hanie.
QB Kyle Orton will start as the Bears opening day quarterback. The first-team offense will play well into the second half. Rex Grossman will follow.
O-line concerns: Rookie 1st round pick left tackle Chris Williams has a back problem and is probably out. His continued absence threatens to alter the Bears' plans for him this season.
Williams was drafted No. 14 overall in the belief he would step right in at left tackle, with John Tait shifting to the right side. John St. Clair has been working with the first team at left tackle, but odds were he'd start the season at left guard instead of Terrence Metcalf.
Injuries have hampered the offensive line from the start of camp. Center Olin Kreutz missed some time with a sore Achilles' tendon. Then Williams went down.
The offensive line continues to struggle as the Bears sift through replacements for departed starters Ruben Brown and Fred Miller. And a go-to guy has yet to emerge from the receiving corps. | 
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