Notes From Training Camp

An MRI on Aubrayo Franklin’s knee injury, which was suffered in the Monday morning practice in pads, revealed an MCL sprain that will force the nose tackle to likely miss the preseason. Although the 49ers would have liked to have him for the next four games, his teammates were relieved to hear the injury wasn’t worse. Franklin , (right) apparently got caught up with a few of the offensive linemen and remained on the ground clearly in pain, and eventually was carted off the field. Rookie Joe Cohen, along with Isaac Sopoaga will now need to step up to fill the shoes of the fifth-year tackle who the 49ers signed from Baltimore this off-season. Sopoaga, a fourth-year veteran played in 15 games last season with two starts and is listed as the second string nose tackle on an unofficial team depth chart that was released today.

RB Frank Gore returned to the practice field this afternoon and went through individual drills for the first time since suffering a broken hand earlier in camp. Gore, working with a cast on his hand, will continue to practice but will be kept out of contact. LB Jeff Ulbrich returned to practice after missing the scrimmage to rest after a taking hit during a live portion of practice on Friday. WR Arnaz Battle and CB Walt Harris were given off in the morning, while QB Trent Dilfer, WR Darrell Jackson, LB Derek Smith and G Larry Allen were given off in the afternoon by design from the 49ers coaching staff. Tackle Patrick Estes is expected to be out a week to ten days after suffering a high ankle sprain in Saturday’s scrimmage. G Tavares Washington did some light running on the sidelines as he recovers from a knee injury and is expected back by the end of the week. DE Bryant Young was also held out of practice as he nurse’s a sore back.