Receiver Jones to miss 8 weeks

In the category of Life's Funny That Way, the 49ers lost a wide receiver a day after their unsigned rookie receiver threatened by proxy to sit out the 2009 season if his contract demands are not met. Brandon Jones injured his right shoulder diving for a pass Thursday afternoon and Friday an X-ray revealed a fracture in the AC joint. The free agent from the Tennessee Titans, who had been having an excellent camp, will be out eight weeks. If that time frame is accurate, that would put Jones back for the Oct. 11 home game against Atlanta. The 49ers acted quickly Friday to fill Jones' roster spot with another receiver. They signed Chris Francies, a second-year pro from UTEP who had been with Green Bay, to a one-year contract. "I hate we lost Brandon Jones," coach Mike Singletary said. "He was making great strides. But he will be back." In the meantime, top draft pick Michael Crabtree remains unsigned. On Thursday, his cousin and adviser, David Wells, told ESPN that Crabtree is prepared to sit out the '09 season rather than sign for less than what agent Eugene Parker is looking for. Parker denied the threat of a sit out. "There's communication," general manager Scot McCloughan said of the negotiations. A week before their first exhibition game against Denver and minus Crabtree, the 49ers are still in good shape with their receivers. Since Jones had been working as the No. 3 receiver, the question now is which pair of hands moves into that role behind starters Isaac Bruce and Josh Morgan. The best guess is second-year man Dominique Zeigler, who is having a good camp and is practicing with confidence. Also in the mix for the third receiver spot are Jason Hill and Arnaz Battle. The other receivers on the roster are camp-type guys: Maurice Price, Michael Spurlock, Mark Bradford, Dobson Collins and now Francies. "That's something receivers coach Jerry Sullivan and myself along with ... offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye will sit down and talk about," Singletary said. "We have some receivers who can step in and do the job." Zeigler believes he is in that can-do category. The number of snaps he's getting indicate the confidence the coaches have in him. "I think I'm having a pretty good camp so far," he said. "I see myself doing well. We do have a very good receiving corps. Everybody brings something to the table. I run good routes and catch the ball well. If you can't catch the ball as a receiver, you can't play." Davis reflects: The 49ers have had exactly one fight so far in training camp and tight end Vernon Davis was the instigator against linebacker Marques Harris. Singletary pulled Davis aside and told him, once again, of his dislike for fighting in practice. "Sometimes it's bound to happen," Davis said. "But that's not what Singletary wants. He wants us to let it go. You play like you practice. That's what Singletary told me to be cautious of." QB competition: Shaun Hill got the better of Alex Smith on Friday morning. Hill completed 6 of 9 passes in team drills while Smith was 2 of 5. Briefly: Players took off the pads and practiced in shorts for the first time Friday afternoon, following 12 straight sessions in full pads. ... Linebacker Jay Moore lacerated finger returned to practice after three days out. Crabtree count Number of practices No. 1 draft pick Michael Crabtree has missed:13