Moran

Norris

Backup Jarrod Baxter would step in if necessary.

No surprises. Jarrod Baxter will start again at fullback. Safety Eric Brown is active despite being listed as doubtful.

Last with the Texans, Norris will compete for a roster spot with Chris Hetherington and sixth-round pick Delanie Walker.

Jarrod Baxter will start at fullback. No. 3 RB Jonathon Wells moves up to backup RB with Tony Hollings out.

Jarrod Baxter will open holes for Domanick Davis and Tony Hollings for today’s game.

With only untested Derrell Smith and Jason Ford behind tight-end/fullback hybrid James Casey, the Texans will carry the veteran Norris as insurance through training camp. The 33-year-old won’t be guaranteed a roster spot after losing his job to rookie Bruce Miller in San Francisco last year. Undrafted out of Cal, Browner’s father Keith and Uncle Joey both played in the NFL.

Rookie Bruce Miller was seeing first-team snaps in training camp, so there shouldn’t be much of a drop-off. A converted defensive end, Miller may actually be an improvement on Norris in the run-blocking department.

Norris will start at fullback again next season. Bell is a solid special teams performer.

Gore’s record-setting season in 2006 was accomplished with Norris paving the way, but this won’t necessarily impact his numbers. Norris is 31 and faded badly down the stretch of that season. He’s bounced around the NFL since.

The Niners didn’t promote Kory Sheets from the practice squad because they’re not confident in his ability to pick up the blitz, according to beat writer Matt Maiocco. They’ll roll with Glen Coffee and former QB turned special teamer Michael Robinson as their only other backs this week.