49ers Give Brown Another Chance

The San Francisco 49ers reinstated tackle Jamie Brown after he served a three-week suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the team.

The sanctions cost Brown about $30,000 in lost salary and stemmed from his late arrival to one exhibition game and skipping another altogether.

The team also released punter Eddie Howard after a lackluster two-week performance.

Brown was projected as the starting left tackle but missed most of training camp because of a hamstring injury and groin strain.

He was supposed to attend San Francisco’s Aug. 2 exhibition against New England but failed to show up. After apologizing to the coaching staff and players, he was allowed to rejoin the team.

Three weeks later, he showed up more than two hours late for an Aug. 23 exhibition against Miami. Brown told Mariucci he got stuck in traffic, an excuse the coach and team officials rejected as unacceptable and Brown was suspended.

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Scott Blanton, who missed two field goals in the Redskins’ 45-10 Monday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers, was released and replaced by practice squad kicker David Akers. . . . Minnesota Viking receiver Cris Carter is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions because of a sprained right ankle. The Vikings also signed free agent quarterback Jay Fiedler, waived rookie safety Kerry Cooks and released practice squad linebacker Armon Williams.

AFC / Elway’s Status Is Questionable

Denver Bronco quarterback John Elway is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders because of a strained right hamstring.

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Miami Dolphin strong safety Shawn Wooden was put on injured reserve after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair damage to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee. . . . Free agent running back Craig “Ironhead” Heyward will meet with and possibly work out for the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers later this week, agent Jack Mills said. Heyward’s weight, which is in part to blame for his Sept. 2 release from the Rams, is reportedly down from 300 pounds to 260.