49ers Notes: Hill showing he's savvy under pressure

SANTA CLARA — Quarterback Shaun Hill continues to show he has a knack for playing the game.

Quarterbacks are always taught from an early age to throw the ball away — especially when they’re outside the pocket — instead of taking a sack. But late in Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills, Hill wisely allowed himself to be stopped behind the line of scrimmage to keep the clock running.

On third-and-12 with 2:26 remaining, Hill went down for a sack when he could not find anyone open down field. The Bills were out of timeouts, so the clock ran down to the two-minute warning before Andy Lee punted.

“I knew if I had an open receiver, I was going to take it for a first down,” Hill said. “If it was gray at all, then definitely I was going to take the sack as opposed to throwing it away, just to keep the clock running.

“That’s an extra 20 seconds, which was a long time, so that was kind of the main thinking.”

Hill said nobody on the 49ers’ sideline reminded him to take the sack to keep the clock moving. Even though it was just his sixth NFL start, he knew what had to be done to manage the game.

“There are so many situations that come up in games and you have to rely on your preparation ... so that your instincts are right in that situation,” he said. “The instincts in a normal game situation would be totally different — you throw it away. But things change in different parts of the game.”

CLEMENTS’ INJURY

Cornerback Nate Clements has a slight fracture of his left thumb and will wear a splint. It is unclear whether Clements will be available for punt-return duty if Allen Rossum misses his second game with an ankle sprain. Neither Clements nor Rossum practiced Wednesday.

Coach Mike Singletary said receiver Isaac Bruce and running back Michael Robinson are among the players who will be considered for return duty.

Also missing practice Wednesday were safety Michael Lewis (abdomen strain) and cornerback Walt Harris (rest day).

Receivers Arnaz Battle (foot) and Josh Morgan (groin), and safety Dashon Goldson (knee) took part in limited practice. They are questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

EXTRA POINTS

Receiver Chris Hannon, whom the 49ers promoted to the active roster Sunday off the practice squad, was claimed by the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday after he was released to create roster space to re-sign linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Not coincidentally, the 49ers play the Dolphins next week.

The 49ers signed linebacker Justin Roland (Kansas State) to the practice squad to take the place of rookie draft pick Larry Grant, whom the St. Louis Rams signed last week.

For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@press

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