Why Joe Hastings is best bet to fill roster spot for 49ers

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SANTA CLARA -- Rookie wide receiver Joe Hastings has been studying the 49ers playbook and practicing with the squad for 22 weeks. He's healthy. And he can contribute on special teams, if needed.Those factors, along with good hands and a 4.42 time in the 40-yard dash, are apparently the reasons the 49ers believe his addition and Braylon Edwards' subtraction strengthens the team's 53-man roster.Although the 49ers have yet to make an announcement, all signs point toward Hastings being promoted to the 49ers' active roster. Hastings spent the first 16 weeks of the NFL regular season on the 49ers' practice squad.
"I feel good about Joe," 49ers quarterback Alex Smith said Wednesday. "Joe's a guy that works extremely hard. Obviously, I had him here all through camp and when he's got his chances throughout the season just to jump into reps in practice, he does it."For a quite a few weeks now pre-game, to keep the other guys' legs good, he and I go out early and throw quite a bit. So (I) feel good about Joe, if that's the direction this ends up going. (I) feel good about him stepping up. He'll be ready."Hastings (6-foot, 185 pounds) did not catch any passes for the 49ers during the exhibition season. He made his impression during training camp practices. The 49ers signed Hastings as an undrafted rookie after the lockout lifted. And they signed him to the practice squad over draft pick Ronald Johnson.
Hastings flew under the radar during his time at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. He attended the Kansas State pro day and impressed some NFL scouts with a low of 4.42 seconds in the 40 and a high of 4.51. His vertical leap was measured at 35 inches.He later had a private workout for the 49ers.Hastings led the conference in receiving as a senior with 87 receptions for 1,546 yards, both school records. He had 15 touchdown receptions. He averaged 128.8 yards a game and 17.8 per reception.The 49ers showed no interest in Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Bernard Berrian, Jason Hill or any other veteran without a team. The 49ers did not work out any veterans on Tuesday -- the day they would ordinarily consider free agents.The 49ers know what they're getting with Hastings after seeing him every day in practice since late July.
Also, Ted Ginn (ankle) and Kyle Williams (concussion) are expected to be at full strength for the playoffs. So the 49ers will have the same receiving corps in the postseason than they had playing and contributing during the regular season.

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