Linebacker Jamie Winborn cleaned out his locker and left the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday as the club abruptly announced plans to trade the former starter. Winborn lost his job to converted defensive end Andre Carter last week, and coach Mike Nolan suggested the fifth-year pro should stay away while the 49ers find him a new home. "He sees himself as a starter, and I would tend to agree with that," Nolan said. "It just won't be here."

The San Francisco 49ers placed their leading receiver from last season, tight end Eric Johnson, on the injured reserve Thursday with a torn muscle in his left foot. "I can't believe it," Johnson said while on crutches in the 49ers' locker room, his foot in a protective boot. "I've just got to roll with the punches and come back better than ever this year. I think I went through a lot of this stuff in 2003, mentally coming to grips with not playing."

Donovan McNabb will be on the field this Sunday when the Eagles take on San Francisco at Lincoln Financial Field. The quarterback had missed practice on Wednesday because of a bruised chest, however, he has recently been given the green light to play. "He seems to be able to do everything," Reid said. "I was being a little bit cautious with him (Thursday) and he didn't want any part of that. He felt good and went out and made all the throws. I was not sure how he was going to do with the deep ball, but I think he answered that. He threw the ball well."

The 49ers signed fullback Chris Hetherington releasing guard Tony Wragge to make room for the 10-year veteran. Hetherington was cut by the Raiders on Saturday after two seasons with the club. The Yale graduate also has played for Indianapolis, Carolina and St. Louis. The 49ers need depth at the position because backup fullback Steve Bush might be forced to play tight end if injured starter Eric Johnson and new acquisition Trent Smith aren't ready to go in the season opener against the Rams on Sunday. Rookie Billy Bajema is the 49ers' only healthy tight end who went through training camp with the club. Wragge was out of football last season after trying to make the Cardinals' roster in the previous two seasons. He played for the Los Angeles Avengers in the Arena Football League last spring.

San Francisco 49ers lineman Thomas Herrion died from heart disease when he collapsed after a preseason game in Denver on Aug. 20, the Denver County coroner said Tuesday. Herrion had ischemic heart disease, with significant blockage in his right coronary artery that caused the death of heart muscle, the city health department said in a news release. Herrion's heart was slightly enlarged. Drug screens on Herrion's blood and urine found only atrophine, a drug administered when medical personnel tried to revive him. Herrion, 23, was pronounced dead early on the morning of Aug. 21. The 6-foot-3, 310-pound guard was on the field for San Francisco's 14-play, 91-yard drive that ended with a touchdown with 2 seconds left. Players had finished listening to coach Mike Nolan address them in a postgame meeting when Herrion collapsed. Medics administered CPR on him and took him to an ambulance that rushed him to a nearby hospital. About three hours later, 49ers spokesman Aaron Salkin confirmed that Herrion had been pronounced dead.

Unwilling to be a bit player with the Broncos, Jerry Rice retired Monday, closing a 20-year career for the most productive receiver in NFL history. Rice, 42, made his decision over the weekend at home in San Francisco, then returned to Broncos headquarters and met with coach Mike Shanahan. He played 20 NFL seasons. ``This is a happy day,'' he said. ``I think the tears that you see basically is that I have really enjoyed this ride. ``I'm done. I'm looking forward to the next phase of my life.'' Shanahan confirmed what Rice already knew -- that he would be a fourth or fifth receiver, at best this season -- and Rice confirmed what many figured -- that he would rather call it quits than be a bit player with the Broncos.

The San Francisco 49ers signed former Atlanta Falcons defensive end Travis Hall on Friday. The 10-year veteran ranks fourth in Falcons history with 41 1/2 sacks, is familiar with the 3-4 defensive scheme San Francisco will use this year and apparently has been playing hard to get with the 49ers since February. "Basically, his kids have been raised in Atlanta," Falcons coach Mike Nolan said. "I think he was hoping something might occur closer to home so he could be near his kids."