Originally posted by SoCal9er:Originally posted by dj43:
Collins is important on the practice squad right now because the 49ers do not want to work Bruce and Battle hard in every practice. That leaves only Hill, Morgan and Spurlock to run routes. With Zeigler out with an ankle sprain, that leaves Collins as the only other receiver for practice time.
Remember, it isn't just training camp that needs extra players. In season practices need extras as well to keep the starters fresh.
You don't really need to have a full practice squad so he's not really a "placeholder", but Collins can be the tackling dummy on the scout team.
No my point was that the 49ers need extra receivers to run drills.
Bruce won't practice everyday, or at least not a full practice because they are saving him for games. Battle has an arthritic knee that flares up on over-use.
That leaves Morgan, Hill and Spurlock as the only healthy receivers for practice. So Collins, and Zeigler when his ankle heals, are there to spread the work load for practice.
Practice squads are not just places to stash players you want to save for the future. They are extra players whose sole job it is to give relief for the regular roster. Most practice squad players never make a game day roster.
That is what Collins may be since Zeigler has an ankle sprain that may takes several weeks to heal. Once Zeigler is healthy, Collins may be cut. That kind of thing happens every year on every team.
