Edwards expected back on 49ers' practice field

Coach Jim Harbaugh is hopeful an entirely healthy 49ers team will take the field Tuesday for the team's first practice after the bye week. The 49ers return to action Sunday against the Cleveland Browns at Candlestick Park.
Harbaugh said he watched wide receiver Braylon Edwards run pass routes last week and was encouraged by what he saw. Edwards has not played since sustaining a torn meniscus cartilage in his right knee on Sept. 18 against the Dallas Cowboys. He underwent arthroscopic surgery the next day."(I) had a chance to watch him work out last week," Harbaugh said Monday in a conference call with reporters. "(I) anticipate seeing him out there tomorrow (Tuesday) and practice and hoping for good things."(I) watched him run and run routes. (I'm) hopeful that he'll come back tomorrow and good things will happen."Harbaugh said he also hopes to see fullback Moran Norris (fibula), outside linebackerParys Haralson (hamstring), right guardAdam Snyder (shoulder) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (hand) healthy enough to practice Tuesday."Our wounds have almost healed," Harbaugh said. "We'll know better when get back on the field."Harbaugh said he does not have any policy that a starting player who is injured automatically gets his old job back. He said the player who is practicing and playing better will play. So Norris must earn his starting job back from rookie Bruce Miller.
"He's done a great job -- really pleased with what Bruce has done," Harbaugh said. "He's improved every week, too, which is really good. As far as when Moran is back and healthy and they're both in there competing at the same time, we'll see who's playing better, who's practicing better, gives us the better opportunity. That'll dictate who will start."Quarterback Alex Smith spent some of his own time at the 49ers' practice facility during the six days off."Yes, Alex participated in our 'opportunity practice' last Tuesday," Harbaugh said. "He threw again on Thursday. Don't know if he threw yesterday. I believe he'll throw some balls around today. But, yeah, he's working at it (and) keeps staying sharp. I don't think he wanted to go any longer than two, three days without throwing the ball. That's what he told me."I asked Harbaugh if Smith's fundamentals and footwork waned in the Detroit game?"It wasn't perfect, but I wouldn't say his fundamentals waned," Harbaugh said.When asked if the 49ers had any plan to send a representative to an open workout receiver Terrell Owens had scheduled Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, Harbaugh said, "Don't know anything about that."The 49ers do not figure to have a need at receiver with Edwards returning. The 49ers now have five healthy wideouts: Edwards, Michael Crabtree, Ted Ginn, Kyle Williams and Brett Swain.