SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Coach Mike Singletary is going with Shaun Hill as the 49ers’ starting quarterback for their exhibition opener tonight against the Broncos, yet insisted Thursday this is no hint about who will be under center when the regular season begins.
“Shaun Hill will start the game. I do not know who will start next week,” Singletary said. “Really, it could have been Shaun Hill or Alex Smith we chose, so don’t read anything in to it.”
Hill, who worked with the No. 1 offense during the team’s walkthrough Thursday, went 5-3 during the Niners’ final eight games last season and 2-0 as a fill-in starter in 2007. Singletary said he doesn’t have a set number of plays for Hill.
Running back Frank Gore and receiver Isaac Bruce won’t play because Singletary doesn’t want to risk injury to two of his star players. Glen Coffee will replace Gore.
Owens out against Bears
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Bills receiver Terrell Owens will miss Saturday’s preseason game against Chicago because of a sprained toe that has prevented him from practicing all week.
Coach Dick Jauron didn’t have a timetable for when Owens could resume practicing, but the receiver tweeted he expects to return to the field as soon as Monday.
Man indicted in gun sale to McNair mistress
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A convicted felon accused of selling the gun used to kill ex-NFL quarterback Steve McNair has been indicted on a firearm charge.
A federal grand jury charged Adrian J. Gilliam Jr. with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gilliam is accused of selling a loaded 9 mm pistol to McNair’s mistress, Sahel Kazemi, for $100 two days before McNair was killed.
Footnotes.
Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (back spasms) returned to practice for the first time since July 31, and the 12-year veteran hopes to play next week against the Broncos.
• The standoff between the Packers and first-round defensive lineman B.J. Raji ended when the two sides agreed to terms on a five- year, 28.5 million contract, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
• Punter Dirk Johnson signed with the Buccaneers, filling in for Josh Bidwell (hip). Denver Post wire services
