The 49ers have signed 24-year old kicker Ricky Schmitt out of tiny Shepherd College and he might have to start this weekend against the Lions if Joe Nedney is not ready to play due to a groin injury.  Nedney has played in all 14 games for the Niners this season and he has made 17 of 21 field goals (81%) and all 33 of his extra points good for 84 points this season.  It will be interesting to see how Schmitt handles his first NFL game if he has to play because the Niners can’t afford to leave points on the football field.

UPDATE:  Nedney is out for the season so Schmitt will continue to kick.  He was 2 for 3 on field goals in his NFL debut last week and he also made both of his extra points as he finished up with 8 points.

The 49ers have lost starting DE Kentwan Balmer for the year due to a torn right labrum.  Balmer played in 11 games last season for the Niners and he made 12 tackles.  He has now played in 27 games in his two years with the Niners and he has made 19 tackles and defensed 1 pass.  The 49ers have signed DE Baraka Atkins to replace Balmer on the roster.  Atkins played in 9 games for the Seahawks last season and he made 18 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and he had 2 sacks.  He has now played two years in the NFL and he has 29 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 2 sacks. 

The 49ers have lost 24-year old rookie free safety Curtis Taylor for the season with a hip injury.  Taylor had 4 tackles in his rookie  season for the Niners.  He was a 7th round pick out of LSU so not a lot was expected of him but he made the team so it was a good pick.

The San Francisco 49ers will be without rookie running back Glen Coffee for this week’s game with the Bears.  He has played in all 8 games for the 49ers this season and he has carried the ball 75 times for 198 yards (2.6 ypc) with 1 TD run.  He has also caught 10 passes for 69 yards (6.9 avg).  Michael Robinson will replace Coffee as the #2 RB this week for the Niners.  He has played in 8 games this season for the Niners and he has carried the ball 1 time for -1 yard.  He has also caught 4 passes for 16 yards (4.0 avg) this season.  The Niners might be looking for someone else to return kicks this week with Robinson needed more than usual on offense.  Robinson has returned 17 kickoffs for 402 yards (23.6 avg) so far this season for the Niners. 

The San Francisco 49ers have lost 30-year old DE Demetric Evans for the next three weeks due to a sprained shoulder.  Evans has played in 7 games this season and he has made 4 tackles.  The 49ers shouldn’t miss him too much while he is out of action.