Zeigler working way onto 49ers roster

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

After three seasons spent almost entirely on San Francisco’s practice squad, Dominique Zeigler is making his mark for the 49ers.

The undrafted free agent receiver has turned heads in training camp and may have earned a spot on the active roster as the fourth receiver.

“Dominique’s a unique guy,” coach Mike Singletary said. “He doesn’t mind going across the middle, going underneath, doing some of the dirty work. He’s a guy that does everything for us and wears a lot of different hats. He can play any of the receiver positions, gives us some flexibility. And he’s really good on special teams as well.”

Zeigler’s versatility became more important to the 49ers this week after the team released veteran receiver Brandon Jones, San Francisco’s top pickup in 2009 free agency.

The 49ers gave Jones a five-year, $16 million deal last year, but he became expendable by the emergence this summer of Zeigler, who wasn’t drafted in 2007 out of Baylor.

Zeigler made San Francisco’s practice squad that season and since then has seen numerous receivers come and go on the roster while he patiently waited for his opportunity.

With starter Michael Crabtree sidelined with a neck sprain, Zeigler took snaps with San Francisco’s first-unit offense during team drills Wednesday. Zeigler appears to have climbed past veteran Jason Hill as the 49ers’ No. 4 receiver behind Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Ted Ginn.

“I knew my time would come as long as I keep working hard,” Zeigler said. “And when my time comes, I just have to take grab of it with both hands.”

Zeigler worked his way onto the 53-man roster in 2008, then onto the field over the last half of that season when he had five catches for 97 yards.