49ers Inactives
Cornellius Carradine DE
Chris Cook CB
Anthony Davis T
Quinton Dial DE
Josh Johnson QB
Marcus Martin C
Quinton Patton WR

WR Michael Crabtree (calf) is active as expected.

Josh Johnson is back with the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco signed the 6-foot3, 205-pound veteran quarterback to a one-year contract on Wednesday, making him the fifth quarterback on the current roster.

At the beginning of camp, we thought that the backup quarterback battle was going to be extremely close, but Josh Johnson has a pretty big lead going into the first game over John Skelton. We knew Johnson had command of the playbook due to his experience in a West Coast offense, but he has shown great touch on his passes, especially the deep balls. It will be interesting to see if this competition gets closer when preseason games start.

Isn't it looking like the backup Bengals QB job is Josh Johnson's to lose?

He's the crop's best runner, he can throw it deep, and he knows the system. Meanwhile, John Skelton is adjusting to the West Coast offense and Zac Robinson is bouncing back from missing the last part of the spring workouts when he rested his arm.

Johnson looks like the favorite to back up Andy Dalton, who we rank 17th with an ADP of the 12th round.

After spending his first four seasons with the Buccaneers, QB Josh Johnson, 25, signed a two-year deal with the 49ers on Thursday, a surprise move that adds intrigue to the team’s quarterback position. Johnson, an Oakland native, played for Harbaugh for three seasons at the University of San Diego.

“Josh is a promising young player that has experience in our offensive system,” said Niners general manager Trent Baalke. “He is a skilled athlete with good arm talent. Josh has shown promise in limited action, both as a backup and starter at the NFL level. We are pleased to add him to our team.”

This move has been long in the making, but is a bit of a surprise considering the 49ers already have second-year QB Colin Kaepernick and Alex Smith in the fold. Johnson is expected to battle with Kaepernick for the backup job.

Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman (right shoulder) took limited practice reps again Thursday. He's expected to play but it's no sure thing that he does. Josh Johnson would likely get the start if Freeman can't go.

NOWHERE TO RUN: Wondering why RB LeGarrette Blount seemed to have nowhere to run on his 11 mostly fruitless carries?

The Panthers, knowing Freeman was out, made certain of it.

"With Josh Freeman out and (Josh Johnson) stepping in, a lot of teams would be looking to stack the box," Blount said. "(They think) we don't have Freeman so they don't have nothing to worry about.

"When safeties shoot through gaps, they're not respecting your pass at all."

Blount went on to say that Johnson acquitted himself well, saying, "We didn't miss a beat with Josh Johnson in there. I don't know what else we can ask for. He's a solid backup."

Buccaneers QB Josh Freeman (right shoulder, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 13. Freeman did some additional throwing on Friday, but is still a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Panthers. Consider this a downgrade for Mike Williams, who has been coming on of late. Josh Johnson would get the start if Freeman can't go.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount is expected to carry his team’s workload this season.

It might be why his workload has been so light in the preseason.

Blount has rushed nine times for 19 yards entering Saturday’s game against Miami. Tampa Bay QB Josh Johnson leads the team in rushing with eight carries for 81 yards, while the Bucs have rushed for only 203 yards this preseason.

Conversely, New England rushed for 200 yards last week against Tampa Bay.

“We’re going to try to execute and try to do everything we can to get our running game started,” Blount said. “At the same time, everybody has to still realize it’s the preseason. There are a lot of teams we haven’t game planned against. We just do what we do and do our own thing.

“I know I’m going to playing more. We’ll be way more involved and way more in tune when the season comes. It doesn’t really bother me much that we haven’t been pounding on people.”