Arnaz Battle

Battle will fight to just make the team's 53-man roster. If he makes the cut, he will mostly see time on special teams.

After being the most productive receiver for the 49ers last season, Battle is unlikely to crack the starting lineup at the beginning of the season. Bryant Johnson and Issac Bruce are both locked in as the starting receivers. The arrival of Mike Martz could mean a spike in production for Battle, but question marks at quarterback (Alex Smith and Shaun Hill) will likely offset any spike a Martz-led offense could give to a reciever

Battle was not bothered in 2006 by the right knee troubles that plagued him the prior year, undergoing hyalgan treatments that appeared to resolve the problems. He caught 59 balls for 686 yards and three touchdowns in his first season as the team's #2 receiver, playing much of the last two months with a fractured left hand. The 49ers added Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie, then drafted Jason Hill, making Battle's status as the No. 2 receiver sketchy at best.

Battle is still nursing a knee injury, which forced him to miss all or parts of eight games last year, due to a torn posterior cruciate and swelling. He is being limited to one practice per day during training camp in an attempt to manage the injury. He is listed as the 49ers' second receiver, and if he can remain on the field, should build on the success that he had last year while transitioning from a special teams player to valued offensive player. If the knee continues to have swelling after practicing, the team may be forced to trade for a #2 receiver to line up opposite Antonio Bryant and Battle might need to undergo an arthroscope to see what's causing the problem.

Battle, who was the 49ers' punt returner in 2004, had a solid season and 2005 minicamp to force his way into the team's wide receiver picture. The addition of Johnnie Morton could cost him a starting spot, but at worst, he will be the third receiver, and is a solid sleeper in deeper leagues.

Battle spent most of 2003 on the practice squad as well as batting injuries. This year looks to be no different as the team added two WR in the draft and signed Curtis Conway to go along with Brandon Lloyd and Cedric Wilson.

Battle was the 197th overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft. Battle will be the team's fifth or practice squad WR and could be a third WR in the future.