
PLAYER NOTES
--RB Steven Jackson is being fined $15,000 a day after not reporting for training camp Thursday. Jackson has one year remaining on his contract.
--CB Fakhir Brown will be out about two weeks after suffering a slight tear of the rotator cuff in his left shoulder. The injury occurred during the first practice of the summer.
--C Brett Romberg is working with the first unit as he battles Richie Incognito for the starting job.
--LT Orlando Pace has been getting limited reps early in camp as he returns from a torn labrum that was suffered in the opening game of the 2007 season.
--LB Chris Draft is the starter for now on the strong side, although coaches want to find a way to get Quinton Culberson on the field.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK: Brett Romberg vs. Richie Incognito for starting C -- Romberg won the job in competition with Andy McCollum last year and is battling Incognito this summer. Romberg worked with the first unit in the opening days of practice. Said coach Scott Linehan, "I want to be fair to both and it's really hard to do and we are going to do the best we can with it."
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS: Most of the competition is for depth positions. Brock Berlin is battling Bruce Gradkowski for the third quarterback job, and Gradkowski is hampered by the fact he didn't join the team until June. Both players had about equal time in the first few days of camp.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: WR Keenan Burton -- In his first two practices, the fourth-round pick was nothing short of spectacular. Burton caught every pass thrown his way, including one deep ball down the left side, one diving catch over the middle and another leaping catch in the middle of the field, where he used his hands well. Burton also showed his speed on an end-around, outracing the defense to the end zone from about 65 yards away. Those four plays came in the first practice of the summer. The next morning, he had an excellent block that created room around tight end for undrafted free-agent running back lance Ball. Said coach Scott Linehan, "Burton had a great day. It just shows when you put the pads on, how guys can stand out."
ROOKIE REPORT: First-round pick Chris Long has been the starter at right defensive end. ... OL John Greco (third round) has looked solid at both right tackle and right guard. ... LB Chris Chamberlain, a seventh-round pick, has been working on the weak side, while David Vobora, also a seventh rounder, has been in the middle.
INJURY REPORT: After an MRI of cornerback Fakhir Brown's injured left shoulder, the diagnosis is a slight tear of the rotator cuff and he will be sidelined at least two weeks. Linehan said if it was the regular season, Brown's availability would be a game-time decision. Brown was injured in the first practice of training camp. "We're a bit light at corner, so we might need to add a player," Linehan said. With Brown out, Tye Hill and Ron Bartell are the starting corners and Jonathan Wade has been the nickel back.
In addition, wide receiver Keenan Burton (ankle tendinitis) and defensive end C.J. Ah You (leg) were limited somewhat in the afternoon practice.
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