Hastings: ‘I can do anything the coach asks'

Receiver Joe Hastings claims this was just an ordinary week.Although still not officially a member of the 49ers' 53-man roster, everybody around the 49ers expects that announcement to happen at some point on Saturday.Hastings was among the 49ers' final cuts of training camp. The product of Washburn University has been on the team's practice squad since the first week of the regular season, when the undrafted rookie was chosen for a spot over draft pick Ronald Johnson of USC.
This week, the 49ers parted ways with veteran Braylon Edwards. Ted Ginn (ankle) and Kyle Williams (concussion) are questionable for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Rams. That could leave the 49ers in desperate need of a wide receiver with only Michael Crabtree and Brett Swain unquestionably healthy.
The 49ers decided to fill their roster spot in-house, rather than enlist the help of any out-of-work players with NFL experience. The competition for the job was theoretically between Hastings and fellow practice-squad receiver John Matthews."Joe's the guy that's next man up," Matthews said.So much for that.Just prior to the 49ers taking off for St. Louis on Friday afternoon, Hastings was seen in the cold bath to assist his body recover from heavy week of practice. He said he still had not received word whether he would suit up for Sunday's game."I've been preparing for this since Week 1," Hastings said. "I still haven't been told anything, so it's the same as usual. If they decide to go in that direction, I'll be prepared. Just like if they go with (tight end) Konrad (Reuland) or John (Matthews), we'll all be prepared."It's a crazy business, so if somebody goes down you got to be ready to step up. All of us have been preparing like we could get the call. It's up to management to make the decision they think is best for the program."Hastings said every week of the season he has studied the game plan as if he would be active for the games. On Sunday, he might get a chance to show if all his preparations have paid off.
"Every week I try to put myself in there so I can take that mindset but all the practice squad guys do," he said. "I study it every week like I'm going to be active. That way if it does happen down the road next year, whenever it is, I'll be prepared and ready."Hastings said he'll be prepared to play each of the wide-receiver positions. It's possible Crabtree and Swain will be the starting receivers, offensive coordinator Greg Roman said this week.Hastings has made a strong impression behind the scenes with the 49ers. Even during the exhibition season, he did not catch a pass. Fortunately for him, the 49ers place a greater emphasis on how players performed every day during practices."I can do anything the coach asks -- whatever gets me on the field," Hastings said. "(I'm) someone the coach can count on to do anything in any situation. The more you can do, the better. That's the mindset I take."