Delanie Walker News

In uniform for just the third time this season, wide receiver Jason Hill made the most of his opportunity Sunday.

Still the formations and the play-calling is keeping the 'Tans on their heels. When a 49ers' drive stalls, it's because of the 49ers seemingly, not the Tans defense.

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle checks in with Titans coach Jeff Fisher and 49ers coach Mike Singletary, who were rookie teammates with the Bears in 1981.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando What in the world was 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye thinking Sunday and what does it mean for the team's immediate future on offense? I have a much better idea after watching the 49ers-Colts game a couple times and charting offensive personnel .

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams are 2-21 and the Lions are 1-21 since the start of the 2008 season.

When 49ers head coach Mike Singletary took over as interim head coach midway through last season, he wasted no time getting the 49ers faithful on his side.

Brandon Jones might be the latest to give it a go. The wide receiver, inactive for the first three games of the season as he recovered from a shoulder injury, will be active for Sunday's game against the Colts in Indianapolis.

Since Sunday, much has been made of Alex Smith's second half performance. Smith was 15/22 for 206 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT and looked quite comfortable in an offense that had been stuck in neutral for much of the first half.

Another solid, solid effort by the rook ... 1st and 10: Gore runs for three ... 2nd and 7: Smith pass tipped at line ... 3rd and 7: Niners flub snap but call t.o. before fumble ... 3rd and 7: Smith finds Morgan open over the middle for a big, 17-yard gain ... 1st and 10 from 14: Smith fires pass to wide-open Davis for 14-yard TD ... HOU 21, 49ers ...

RATING: EMPTY CHAIRThe Little Man got up and left this stinker early, joining thousands of fans in the process.

Michael Crabtree will make his 49ers debut against the Houston Texans on Sunday, which means that by midafternoon he will have a story to last a lifetime.

He sustained his third concussion since Aug. 18 in the Atlanta game on Oct. 11. A concussion to linebacker Jeff Ulbrich compelled the 49ers to place the 10-year veteran on injured reserve, but Lewis' status is week-to-week. "I think it's a matter of continuing to talk to the doctors and trainers and what's really best for him," coach Mike ...

The San Francisco 49ers will have a tough assignment this week in containing the Houston Texans offense.

Fooch's Note: As small a comment as this was in the Chronicle article, it's obviously worth moving to the front page for discussion.

"We've been trading phone calls," Alex Smith said Thursday. "He called, twice. When you've torn ligaments in your shoulder, it takes time to heal.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando So, Michael Crabtree impressed the 49ers during their by week and could see more playing time than once expected in Week 7. The 49ers' 45-10 defeat to the Falcons might have prepped them for Crabtree's assimilation.

It was, Abraham determined, time for the Falcons ' defensive line to "man up" against the 49ers after a dismal showing against New England.

Jose Luis Villegas jvillegas@sacbee.com Buy Photos 49ers head coach Mike Singletary waits during a timout in the 4th quarter in Sunday afternoons 49ers 45-10 loss.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Shaun Hill heads back to the huddle after another incompletion against the Atlanta Falcons at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., Sunday, Oct.

It looks like the arrival of Michael Crabtree can't come soon enough for the Niners.