Rookie Morgan makes a big catch

49ers Notes: Rookie Morgan makes a big catch
By Matthew Barrows - mbarrows@sacbee.com

SAN FRANCISCO – It was going to be difficult Saturday for wide receiver Josh Morgan to top his four-catch, 68-yard debut last week in Oakland. But the rookie has made a habit of exceeding expectations this summer.

Morgan was on the receiving end of the 49ers' best offensive play this exhibition season, a 59-yard touchdown strike from J.T. O'Sullivan at the end of the first half.

Morgan had gotten behind cornerback Will Blackmon on the play, then stepped out of the tackle of safety Atari Bigby for his first NFL touchdown.

Morgan, a sixth-round draft pick from Virginia Tech, has started both exhibition games in place of Bryant Johnson, who has been out with a hamstring injury since Aug. 4. Morgan had five catches for 114 yards and played into the third quarter.

"It's your first touchdown in the NFL," Morgan said. "You're always going to remember that." Morgan was trying to track down the ball with which he scored.

Wide receivers Arnaz Battle (hamstring) and Ashley Lelie (calf) also did not play.

Unhappy return – The 49ers' de- fense gave Aaron Rodgers a rude welcome back to the Bay Area, sacking the former Cal star four times in one half and roughing him up on several other occasions.

Leading the charge was second-year defensive lineman Ray McDonald, who made his second consecutive start. McDonald sacked Rodgers once when the Packers were deep in 49ers territory.

Earlier in the game, McDonald flushed Rodgers out of the pocket and he and linebacker Manny Lawson each were credited with a half sack.

Justin Smith and Roderick Green also combined to sack Rodgers. Green, who is competing for a roster spot, started the game at right defensive end and seemed to be a key part of the 49ers' pass-rush package.

Right defensive end Walter Curry also sacked Rodgers late in the first half when the second-team defense was in the game.

Et cetera – Offensive coordinator Mike Martz was calling plays from the sideline after being in the coaching booth last week against the Raiders.

• Safety Mark Roman wore the radio receiver for the 49ers' defense early in the first half. When the second-team defense entered the game late in the second quarter, safety Keith Lewis (Valley High School) had the receiver. Lewis also wore it last week.

• Wide receiver Isaac Bruce and running back Frank Gore started but only played a quarter for the 49ers.

• Guard David Baas (pectoral), running back Michael Robinson and safety Lewis Baker (thigh) did not play. Cornerback Tarell Brown sat out the game with a hip injury he suffered Thursday in practice.

• There were no injuries reported immediately after the game.

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