Niners Plan For Lelie To Get More Playing Time

Matt Maiocco, The Press Democrat

Receiver Ashley Lelie (right) will get more playing time when the 49ers return from the bye week to face the Giants on Oct. 21, coach Mike Nolan said Thursday."The important thing is that the plan is to utilize him a little more," Nolan said. Through the first five games, Lelie has been on the field for just 10 offensive snaps. Yet, Lelie was 49ers' receiver that the Ravens feared the most when the team met on Sunday. Nolan spoke after the game with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who told him that he planned to double-team Lelie when he was on the field. Lelie played just one snap. The Ravens did not double-team any of the 49ers' other receivers, thus they could devote more defenders to stopping Frank Gore.

"Sort of gets your attention, doesn't it?" Nolan asked. "There were some things after this game I knew clear-cut we had to do better. There wasn't a lot of gray area on some of things. It didn't surprise me."

The other receivers haven't received that kind of respect this season. Teams have been able to devote an extra defender to containing Gore because the 49ers lack playmakers at wide receiver. Lelie was the one players, with his size and speed, that the Ravens had to worry about. Yet, Lelie was the 49ers' No. 4 wideout. With Lelie expected to get more playing time, it also casts doubts on whether rookie Jason Hill (left)will see action when he returns. Hill sustained a hamstring strain in the days leading up to the game against the Steelers. If he had not been injured, the 49ers planned to suit him up for that game. Now, Hill's situation is up in the air. Lelie will get more playing time, and Bryan Gilmore is in the mix, too.

"The complexion around him has changed a little bit," Nolan said of Hill. "If he'd been healthy, maybe I wouldn't have make the decision to bring Bryan Gilmore back. Maybe I wouldn't have brought in (LeRon McCoy). He's got a little more competition." Hill is practicing at full speed after missing three games with the injury.