NFL 49ers' defense is hit again as Rasheed injures knee

The linebacker was hurt in practice to further hamper the injury-riddled defense.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- The San Francisco 49ers couldn't even get through the opening drills of their first practice back from their open week without another injury.
Linebacker Saleem Rasheed, expected to step into Jeff Ulbrich's starting spot on Sunday at Washington, went down with a knee problem shortly after the 49ers went back to work Monday following a weekend off. None of his teammates seemed surprised or concerned, since that's business as usual for the 49ers' injury-riddled defense.
Rasheed was scheduled for an MRI exam later in the day, though his teammates and coach Mike Nolan were cautiously optimistic the fourth-year pro will be able to play.
Rasheed would have important responsibilities in the Niners' game plan while replacing middle linebacker Ulbrich, who calls the team's defensive signals on the field.
Smith is ready
Nolan thought the problem might involve the meniscus in Rasheed's knee. If he can't play, longtime starter Derek Smith probably will move into Ulbrich's starting spot, with versatile backup Brandon Moore stepping into the starting lineup.
"You can't get discouraged," Smith said. "All you can do is play hard and take care of your stuff ... and when you get opportunities as a backup, you have to take advantage."
Moore was a backup at Ulbrich's position during training camp before switching to the outside of the Niners' 3-4 defensive scheme during the season.
"My world changes just about every week," Moore said of his various assignments. "It's not easy. It's a challenge, but it's part of the game."
Rasheed has endured previous problems with his knees and other minor injuries during his career. He has been a backup since arriving from Alabama, but linebackers coach Mike Singletary has praised his progress this season.
Plenty of turnovers
It's yet another shuffle for the 49ers, who have endured plenty of turnover in their linebacking corps. Julian Peterson has been hobbled by a hamstring injury, while Jamie Winborn was traded to Jacksonville shortly before Ulbrich's biceps muscle detached from his arm during San Francisco's loss to Indianapolis.
Additional injuries for safety Mike Rumph and cornerback Ahmed Plummer have hindered the 49ers' progress and frustrated Nolan, a longtime NFL defensive coordinator for four teams, including the Redskins. San Francisco has allowed 160 points -- more than twice as many as the offense has scored.
"We're moving in the right direction," Smith said. "For this defense to become special, we need to eliminate little mistakes here and there. Until that happens, I think we'll just be a good defense. Every game, there's a handful of things that can be a little bit more exact."
The 49ers also signed free-agent linebacker Jim Maxwell, who played mostly on special teams for the New York Giants last year.
Good first practice
Aside from Rasheed's early injury, Nolan felt good about the 49ers' first practice after a three-day weekend.
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