Edwards ailing, 49ers re-sign practice receiver

SANTA CLARA -- The regular season has been a disaster for 49ers receiver Braylon Edwards. So, now, his focus is on getting healthy, contributing and rebuilding his NFL stock during the playoffs.In a related matter, the 49ers released safety Mark LeGree from the practice squad.Huh?The 49ers re-signed receiver John Matthews to the practice squad on Tuesday. Edwards (kneeshoulder) and Michael Crabtree (foot) have been limited during practices for most of the season. As the club manages the health of their top two receivers, Matthews gives the team another player who can run routes on the practice field.RELATED: Banged-up Edwards focuses on playoffs
Edwards has not been 100 percent since sustaining torn cartilage in his right knee early in a Week 2 loss against the Dallas Cowboys. The past three games he has also been managing a left shoulder sprain, he said Monday.Ted Ginn, Kyle Williams and Brett Swain are the other receivers on the 49ers' 53-man roster. Swain has been inactive since Edwards returned to the playing field.Matthews spent five weeks of the practice squad earlier this season before he was cut to make room for LeGree. Matthews rejoins rookie Joe Hastings as receivers on the practice squad.The main duty of players on the practice squad is to run plays of the upcoming opponent to get the first-team defense prepared for what they are expected to face.Matthews, who played for Jim Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, has previously spent time with the Indianapolis and Jacksonville practice squads.