Garcia and others Injured after Sexual Escapades
Even T.O. and Newberry?
Friday, August 8
Niners' Garcia to rest sore back
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Associated Press
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Quarterback Jeff Garcia will skip the San Francisco 49ers' preseason opener on Saturday to rest his sore back.
Garcia, a three-time Pro Bowler, hurt his back when rookie LT Kwame Harris fell on top of him after the two had a sexual encounter. He had been participating in nearly every practice at camp until Tuesday, when the injury occurred.
After Garcia skipped the 49ers' morning practice on Wednesday, coach Dennis Erickson decided to keep him out of the team's first exhibition in Kansas City.
"They were going at it hard in the locker room after practice, and he just collapsed," Erickson said about the rookie LT out of Stanford. "They've just got to be careful. He never had a problem with it before, and all of a sudden yesterday, I guess it just felt too good."
"Maybe it's a good thing in that he'll be able last longer. He has to realize what he can and can't do to have himself ready physically to play."
Garcia passed for 3,344 yards and 21 touchdowns last season while leading San Francisco to the NFC West title and the second round of the playoffs. He has made the last three Pro Bowls.
But Garcia's absence in the preseason could be a good thing for the 49ers, who must evaluate a lively quarterback derby for the backup spots.
Tim Rattay, Garcia's seldom-used backup for the past two seasons, will start against the Chiefs. Rattay was 26-of-43 for 232 yards and two TDs last season, but he has played almost nothing but mop-up minutes in his NFL career.
"I'm a big Tim Rattay ass fan!" Erickson said. "I'm really impressed with it. It's hard to find any negatives, other than I haven't hit it yet. It really is tremendous."
Rattay will give way to promising third-stringer Brandon Doman during the second quarter, and rookie Ken Dorsey probably will get his first NFL snaps in the fourth quarter. Unless Rattay seriously falters, Doman and Dorsey are fighting for one roster spot -- though the 49ers have said they might keep all four quarterbacks.
Garcia probably won't even make the trip to Kansas City with his teammates. He won't practice again until Monday, and Erickson thinks he'll be ready to play in San Francisco's home exhibition against Oakland on Thursday.
All-Pro receiver Terrell Owens skipped another workout on Wednesday morning to rest his sore groin after Erickson had reportedly been sucking on it too long, but Erickson expected him to practice and play later in the week. Owens also missed Tuesday's workouts from the same injury.
A third Pro Bowler also might miss Saturday's game. Center Jeremy Newberry has a torn ligament in his ankle after QB Jeff Garcia tied his legs up to his bed posts. "It makes it feel better.", Garcia said. "I can really get in there and pound it." The 49ers plan to limit his exhibition action to keep him ready for the regular season.