49ers’ Harbaugh to make players earn playing time

With four players added to the roster recently, the San Francisco 49ers will have some shuffling around to do.

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith, wide receiver Mario Manningham, cornerback Eric Wright and defensive lineman Tank Carradine have all been thrown into the mix.

According to a report from CSN Bay Area, head coach Jim Harbaugh is going to make his players earn the playing time – which now might become scarce for some.

“(I) asked them to make an argument, state a case this week and we’ll go to the game with the best 46 that gives us the best chance to win,” Harbaugh said.

Aldon Smith reportedly had a good week of practice and should see the field – how much?  Harbaugh says he won’t know until game time.

“To my eye, it looked liked he had a very good week,” Harbaugh said. “Moving around, knowing his assignments.”

“I was not part of that meeting, if that meeting was held,” Harbaugh said, when asked if it had already been determined how much Smith would play.

“What we think is in the best interest of the team. What we think is in the best interest of the individual player. We’ll do that to monitor that and implement that to the best of our ability.”

Having Manningham back is a big boost to a wide receiver corps that has been Anquan Boldin – and a whole lot of nothing else.

Boldin leads the team with 38 receptions for 551 yards.  The next closest wide receiver – not including tight end Vernon Davis – Kyle Williams with 11 catches for 108 yards.