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The San Francisco 49ers appeared mostly quiet Sunday, signing players to their practice squad while the rest of the division scrambled to rearrange 53-man rosters.

Among the confirmed moves in the NFC West to this point Sunday:

• The Arizona Cardinals waived cornerback Marshay Green, fullback Reagan Maui'a and linebacker Pago Togafau. Arizona received fullback/linebacker Jerome Johnson (New York Giants), defensive back Brandon McDonald (Cleveland Browns) and linebacker Cyril Obiozor (Green Bay Packers) off waivers. Arizona’s Chris Johnson, Alfonso Smith and Mark Washington reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers. It's not clear whether they'll stay there. Teams often reach injury settlements with waived/injured players.
• Speaking of injury settlements, the St. Louis Rams reached one with offensive lineman Phil Trautwein, meaning he is no longer on injured reserve.
• The Seattle Seahawks released safety Kevin Ellison, center/guard Steve Vallos and guard/tackle Mansfield Wrotto. The Seahawks added off waivers guard Evan Dietrich-Smith (Packers) and defensive back Nate Ness (Miami Dolphins). Seattle acquired offensive lineman Stacy Andrews from Philadelphia. The Seahawks also tried to claim running back Kregg Lumpkin, released by the Packers, but Tampa Bay’s waiver claim prevailed. Seattle tried to claim tight end/linebacker/special-teamer Spencer Havner, also released by the Packers, but Detroit’s waiver claim prevailed.

By "confirmed" moves, I'm talking about ones either announced by the teams, confirmed by the teams, processed by the NFL office, or all of the above. As noted before lawn-maintenance obligations intervened, rosters remain quite fluid.

The Rams announced agreements with 13 undrafted free agents:

• Jermelle Cudjo, defensive tackle, Central Oklahoma
• Freddie Harris, linebacker, Central Oklahoma
• Cardia Jackson, linebacker, Louisiana-Monroe
• Jeromy Jones, safety, Idaho
• Simoni Lawrence, linebacker, Minnesota
• Thaddeus Lewis, quarterback, Duke
• Jamie McCoy, fullback, Texas A&M
• Brandon McRae, receiver, Mississippi State
• Roderick Owens, receiver, Florida St.
• Darian Stewart, safety, South Carolina
• Kennedy Tinsley, fullback, North Carolina
• Keith Toston, running back, Oklahoma State
• DeMaundray Woolridge, running back, Idaho

This list is quite a bit longer than the one put together from various reports Sunday. Among the 2009 undrafted rookies remaining with the Rams: cornerback Cord Parks, linebacker K.C. Asiodu, linebacker Dominic Douglas, guard Roger Allen, tackle Phil Trautwein and tackle Ryan McKee.

The Rams have managed to take a 3-0 halftime lead over the 49ers even though St. Louis is within an injury or two from calling Jackie Slater out of retirement to finish the game.

Last I saw, the Rams had Phil Trautwein at right tackle and John Greco at right guard. No matter how prepared the Rams were for this season, they probably never envisioned it coming to this. Adam Goldberg was at left guard. Center Jason Brown and left tackle Alex Barron are the only starters lining up in their projected places.

The Rams' offense is naturally struggling.

The 49ers don't really have an excuse for their problems on that side of the ball. They're' trying to go into the offseason feeling good about Alex Smith as their starting quarterback. Smith has completed 5 of 10 passes for 23 yards so far.

The Cardinals use four-receiver personnel more than any team in the league.

That makes their fourth wideout more valuable than most. Early Doucet has replaced Jerheme Urban in that role recently. Urban did not play in Week 10. The Cardinals named him inactive Sunday.

The decision makes some sense. While Urban was effective, the team needs to find out whether Doucet, a 2008 third-round choice, can help the offense. Anquan Boldin's future with the team is uncertain beyond this season. Developing Doucet could help this season even if Boldin remains with the team. The team also knows Urban will be ready if called upon.

Also inactive for Arizona: safety Rashad Johnson, linebacker Chike Okeafor, tackle Herman Johnson, guard Brandon Keith, tight end Stephen Spach and tight end Dominique Byrd. Brian St. Pierre is the third quarterback.

The Rams' inactive list features cornerback Danny Gorrer, linebacker Dominic Douglas, guard Roger Allen III, tackle Phil Trautwein, guard Richie Incognito, receiver Jordan Kent and defensive end C.J. Ah You, who appears headed for injured reserve. Keith Null is the third quarterback.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Rams Player Released on Cutdown Pos. Current Team Capacity Phil Trautwein OL Browns Active Roster Brock Berlin QB Lions Practice Squad Roy Schuening OL Raiders Practice Squad K.C. Asiodu LB Rams Practice Squad Eric Butler TE Rams Practice Squad Dominic Douglas LB Rams Practice Squad Chris Ogbonnaya RB Rams Practice Squad Sean Walker WR Rams Practice Squad Antwon Burton DL -- -- Ian Campbell DL -- -- Renardo Foster OL -- -- Jerome Johnson RB -- -- Tim Mattran OL -- -- Cord Parks DB -- -- Antonio Pittman RB -- -- Mark Rubin DB -- -- Tim Carter WR -- -- Ronald Curry WR -- -- Todd Johnson DB -- --

The Rams' depth on the offensive line might be better than anticipated for a team with a 5-27 record over the past two seasons.

The team is carrying 10 offensive linemen, one more than typical, while John Greco recovers from wrist surgery.

An 11th, Phil Trautwein, landed on the Browns' active roster when Cleveland claimed him off waivers. A 12th, Roy Schuening, signed with the Raiders' practice squad. Another, tackle Renardo Foster, would seem to be a candidate for catching on somewhere eventually.

I've gone through the initial NFC West cut lists -- those players released at the 53-man deadline -- to see which ones have returned to their teams or caught on elsewhere.

The chart shows results for St. Louis.

Quarterback Brock Berlin signed to the Lions' practice squad after the Rams released him. Defensive lineman Ian Campbell briefly spent time on the Rams' practice squad before the team released him.

A few veterans -- running back Antonio Pittman, receiver Tim Carter, receiver Ronald Curry and special-teamer Todd Johnson -- remain available.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Waiver claims tend to fly left and right after the 53-man roster reductions. Among the implications for NFC West teams now that the initial 24-hour waiver period has ended:

• The Seahawks released Kyle Williams after claiming another tackle, Brandon Frye, off waivers from the Dolphins. Frye, 26, was active for seven games last season. This is probably just a case of Seattle attempting to upgrade depth on the fringes of the roster.
• Former Seahawks cornerback Kevin Hobbs landed in Detroit after the Lions claimed him. The Browns claimed another Seahawks castoff, cornerback Marquis Floyd.
• The Browns also claimed former Rams offensive lineman Phil Trautwein.
• The Jets filed claims for two tight ends, including 49ers draft choice Bear Pascoe. They had a higher priority claim for former Titans tight end Matthew Mulligan, however. Pascoe became a free agent once the claim for Mulligan succeeded.

Earlier: Roster moves for the Rams and 49ers.

Ex-Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. K.C. Asiodu LB Brock Berlin QB Eric Butler TE Ian Campbell DL Dominic Douglas LB Renardo Foster OL Jerome Johnson FB Tim Mattran OL Chris Ogbonnaya RB Cordelius Parks DB Mark Rubin DB Roy Schuening OL Phil Trautwein OL Sean Walker WR

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

I've put together a list of recently released Rams players with eligibility for the practice squad. Each was released on the reduction to 53 players.

The decision to keep rookie quarterback Keith Null on the 53-man roster meant releasing Brock Berlin. Does that mean Berlin is finished with the Rams? It could, but the quarterback does remain eligible for the practice squad.

Running back Chris Ogbonnaya seems like a natural candidate. With a new coaching staff and relatively new front office, the Rams could be more likely to consider players from other rosters. Coach Steve Spagnuolo was with the Giants last season. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was with the Eagles. Defensive coordinator Ken Flajole was with the Panthers. Those ties could influence the Rams' thinking.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Biggest surprise: The Rams cut former special-teams captain Todd Johnson, a safety, and they also flushed out two veteran receivers they hoped would contribute, Ronald Curry and Tim Carter. Keeping rookie quarterback Keith Null over the more experienced Brock Berlin made sense because the Rams' top two quarterbacks, Marc Bulger and Kyle Boller, have lots of seasoning. The biggest roster surprise came when the team traded 2006 first-round cornerback Tye Hill to the Falcons. Free-agent addition Quincy Butler stuck on the 53-man roster after a strong training camp and preseason. He looked better than Hill, frankly, and the Rams' new leadership wasn't afraid to part with symbols of past failures. Placing defensive tackle Adam Carriker on injured reserve cleared another spot.

No-brainers: The Rams also released linebacker K.C. Asiodu, defensive tackle Antwon Burton, tight end Eric Butler, defensive end Ian Campbell, linebacker Dominic Douglas, tackle Renardo Foster, fullback Jerome Johnson, center Tim Mattran, running back Chris Ogbonnaya, cornerback Cord Parks, running back Antonio Pittman, safety Mark Rubin, guard Roy Schuening, tackle Phil Trautwein and receiver Sean Walker.

What's next: The Rams still need to make one move by the 6 p.m. ET deadline for complying with the 53-man limit. With only four running backs on the roster, counting fullback Mike Karney, the team probably needs to seek help at the position. Backup Samkon Gado suffered injured ribs in the final exhibition game. The Rams lack quality depth and they are starting over. As a result, the team could pursue players released from other teams.

Update: The Rams placed defensive lineman Eric Moore on injured reserve to comply with the 53-man limit.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando


Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Cardinals backup quarterback Matt Leinart suffered a shoulder injury against the Packers while throwing for 360 yards in the second half.


Paola Boivin of the Arizona Republic says analysts aren't buying into the Cardinals this season, although ESPN's Chris Berman likes Arizona on simple grounds. Berman: "When you can score 30 points a game against most teams, that's a nice thing to have in your hip pocket."


Darren Urban of azcardinals.com makes a 53-man roster projection for the Cardinals. He puts tackle Oliver Ross on the bubble. My overall impression of Ross was favorable when he subbed for Mike Gandy at left tackle against the Packers.


Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind wonders if there's still a small chance Beanie Wells could challenge Tim Hightower for the starting job at halfback in Arizona.



Kris Anderson of 49ers.com profiles pass-rusher Parys Haralson.


Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider checks in with cornerback Shawntae Spencer, a veteran surprise for the 49ers this summer.


Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat still thinks Michael Crabtree will sign with the 49ers before the regular-season opener, though he's less sure than before.


Also from Maiocco: Cornerback Nate Clements explains recent preseason struggles by saying he's working on weaknesses in his game. Also, coach Mike Singletary challenged players following a poor practice session.


Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the evidence points to Dre Bly starting at right corner even though defensive coordinator Greg Manusky says Spencer and Tarell Brown are still competing.


Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News hasn't seen enough from Shaun Hill, Crabtree or Manny Lawson to think the 49ers have solved their problems.


Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News said during a chat that 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan isn't impressed by the crop of veteran free-agent tackles. The 49ers want to see which tackles teams release on the reduction to 53 players.


David Fucillo of Niners Nation makes another 53-man roster projection. He wonders what Maiocco meant when he suggested the 49ers would add a fullback not currently on the roster. Translation: The 49ers will probably sign a veteran fullback from the pool of players available following the reduction to 53 players. There simply weren't many fullbacks available when the 49ers decided to give linebacker Brit Miller a try at the position. They added Bill Rentmeester when he came available, but they'll consider other options.


Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times points to the Seahawks' depth at defensive end to explain why the team moved Michael Bennett to defensive tackle.


Also from O'Neil: a look at position battles still undecided heading into the Seahawks' final exhibition game. Defensive line tops the list.


Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune looks at the race between Seahawks kickers Brandon Coutu and Olindo Mare.


Also from Williams: a look at Bennett's conversion to defensive tackle. Williams: "Bennett has stepped up his game in his first year as a pro. He’s recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss in three preseason games for Seattle, and is solidly in the conversation" for a spot on the initial 53-man roster.


John Morgan of Field Gulls sees Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor competing to be the Seahawks' fifth receiver.


Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Rams must clear 21 roster spots by Saturday. Running back Samkon Gado: "I was talking to my roommate [Phil Trautwein], who is a rookie. And I just told him if you're going to play in this league, you've got to be prepared to be cut. I've been cut I think six or seven times in five years. It's just the nature of the beast. You do the best that you can. And a lot of times, it's not really up to you. It's not really how well you played or how poorly you played. It's just there's not a need for you. So I think the best thing to do is just continue working hard. There's going to be someone out there who has a need for you, and I think I'm a wonderful example of that."


Also from Thomas: Five things to watch in the Rams' final exhibition game of the 2009 season. Thomas: "Teams traditionally keep four defensive tackles. The Rams have five bona fide roster candidates in Adam Carriker, Gary Gibson, Clifton Ryan, Darell Scott and Hollis Thomas. Who's the odd man out? And should 2007 first-round pick Carriker, who's on the second-team defense coming off an ankle injury, be worried?"


Turf Show Times' VanRam wonders if Eagles receiver Reggie Brown could be in the Rams' plans.


Tim Klutsarits of examiner.com outlines five things to watch when the Rams face the Chiefs in their final exhibition game. Cornerback play tops the list after St. Louis traded Tye Hill.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo updated injuries Saturday, less than 24 hours after the team's exhibition game against the Falcons:

• Receiver Donnie Avery remains sidelined by his foot injury, as expected.
• Guard Jacob Bell (concussion) will do some running early in the week. Bell's symptoms have not cleared. The team will test him against neurological baselines once remaining symptoms clear.
• Quarterback Marc Bulger remains sidelined by his broken pinky finger, as expected.
• Receiver Tim Carter (groin) will do some running this coming week. His status for the next game is questionable.
• Rookie receiver Brooks Foster underwent knee surgery Friday and will miss 6-8 weeks.
• Tackle Phil Trautwein is day-to-day after suffering a back injury against the Falcons.
• Tackle Alex Barron is day-to-day while dealing with knee swelling.
• Defensive tackle Adam Carriker (ankle) probably will miss the next game.
• Running back Kenneth Darby should not miss much time, if any, after injuring his knee against the Falcons.
• Defensive end James Hall did not suffer significant damage to his sternum, an X-ray showed, but he'll be in pain.

Brock Berlin and Darell Scott played through knee injuries and seemed to come out OK, Spagnuolo said.

Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Marcus Brown DB Likely cut Bradley Fletcher DB Keeper Justin King DB Keeper Cord Parks DB Likely cut David Roach DB Likely cut Mark Rubin DB Likely cut C.J. Ah You DL Bubble Ian Campbell DL Likely cut Eric Moore DL Likely cut Darell Scott DL Keeper K.C. Asiodu LB Likely cut Dominic Douglas LB Likely cut Larry Grant LB Keeper Jerome Johnson LB Likely cut James Laurinaitis LB Keeper Davd Vobora LB Keeper Tim Mattran OL Likely cut Daniel Sanders OL Likely cut Roger Allen OL Bubble Roy Schuening OL Keeper Mark Setterstrom OL Keeper Renardo Foster OL Bubble Jason Smith OL Keeper Phil Trautwein OL Likely cut Eric Young OL Likely cut Brock Berlin QB Bubble Keith Null QB Bubble Chris Ogbonnaya RB Bubble Eric Butler TE Likely cut Jarrett Byers WR Likely cut Brooks Foster WR Bubble Nate Jones WR Bubble Sean Walker WR Bubble

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

More Rams players are eligible for the practice squad this summer after the team parted with a long list of aging veterans this offseason.

The chart shows all 33 current Rams players with eligibility, arranged by position. The team had 24 players eligible when I produced a similar list nearly one year ago.

The lists come in handy when analyzing battles for the final few roster spots. I've added loose status descriptions for eligible players based on my general expectations.

To review: NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

The league explains the process this way:

"After 12 noon, New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons."

The Rams have only one running back, seventh-round choice Chris Ogbonnaya, with practice-squad eligibility. Eight other NFC West running backs have eligibility.

I'll break out corresponding lists for the rest of the division, answering a frequently posed question that follows a familiar format: "Is so-and-so eligible for the practice squad?"

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says Anquan Boldin reported late to training camp after doubling back to pick up two teammates' whose vehicle had broken down. Does the collective bargaining agreement allow him to submit for mileage reimbursement?

Also from Somers: All Cardinals players made their weight targets, including Alan Branch. Tight end Stephen Spach has been cleared to practice once a day following ACL surgery.

Darren Urban of azcardinals.com says the mood was light as players reported for camp, with coach Ken Whisenhunt and quarterback Kurt Warner exchanging friendly banter in front of reporters.

Also from Urban: Bertrand Berry missed offseason workouts and practices to conserve energy, not because he was upset about his contract, according to Berry.

Revenge of the Birds' Hawkwind singles out Chike Okeafor, Lyle Sendlein and Gabe Watson as Cardinals players entering pivotal seasons.

Chris Sullivan of Seahawk Addicts expects Josh Wilson to compete hard for the starting job at right cornerback even though Ken Lucas is the heavy favorite to emerge in the No. 1 role.

Shaun Dolence of 12thmanrising.com thinks Seahawks rookie Deon Butler has the potential to become a good slot receiver. The team envisoins Butler adding speed on the outside.

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com examines changes to training camp as the team holds its first one at its new facility.

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com checks in with second-round Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis, who was happy to sign in time for training camp. Laurinaitis: "You don't want anyone to think of you as that guy holding out. You don't want that label on you and I am just glad it's all over with. A lot of guys do mean it when they say they want to be in camp on time. You are missing a lot of football, a lot of good teaching if you hold out."

Also from Wagoner: audio from his conversation with Bernie Miklasz of 101ESPN St. Louis. Wagoner points to Daniel Fells, Roger Allen, Phil Trautwein and Larry Grant as lesser-known players who could make an impact in training camp.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch expects the Rams to reach agreement with first-round choice Jason Smith in the near future. That would probably help the Seahawke define the market for Aaron Curry. Smith and Curry were the only non-quarterbacks drafted among the top four overall choices.

VanRam of Turf Show Times points to Mike Karney's addition as an important offseason move by the Rams. Might Karney help in the red zone?

Patrick Hooper of 49ers.com passes along Demetric Evans' thoughts on playing in Greg Manusky's defense. Evans: "[Manusky] told me that the 3-4 they run is not the typical 3-4, where you are just holding blocks. They allow the d-linemen to get up the field and make plays."

John Crumpacker of the San Francisco Chronicle offers Mike Singletary's reflections on missing training camp when Singletary was a player. Singletary: "I'm a guy of principle. I was prepared to sit out for the whole duration. It worked out."

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat details the 49ers' roster moves and says the team expects to sign a defensive lineman while Michael Crabtree's absence leaves open a roster spot.

Bob Padecky of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat assesses Alex Smith's chances to right his career. Smith says he's throwing the ball effortlessly, a big change from his injury-plagued past.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says 49ers rookie Ricky Jean-Francois is suffering from a stomach ailment. The note allowed Barrows to work in a rare reference to Pannel Egboh.

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News poses five questions facing the 49ers this summer. Can the 49ers field a top-10 defense? I think they can with some help from the offense.

Andrew Davidson of Niners Nation assesses the fantasy prospects of 49ers players. Davidson: "Let me begin by saying do not draft Shaun Hill if you are playing in a standard league. ... A player like Shaun Hill won't serve a lot of fantasy purpose, mainly because there are 32 starting QBs in the NFL, and you'll be fighting for one of the top 12. It is safe to say Shaun Hill is not a top 12 quarterback in fantasy football (or the NFL)." Will Hill start?