Posted at 1:18 a.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2007
NFL: 49ers starting NT returns; Sopoaga to back up
Associated Press
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin returned to full practice drills yesterday for the first time since partially tearing a knee ligament during the first week of training camp.Franklin signed a three-year, $6 million deal with the 49ers as a free agent in March. Expected to be the anchor in San Francisco's switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme, Franklin has yet to see game action with his new team.
Nolan said Franklin will be ready for the season opener. His absence during the preseason allowed backup Isaac Sopoaga to emerge with some of his finest performances since joining the 49ers in 2004.
Veteran defensive end Bryant Young, who saw only a few plays of action in last week's preseason finale after sitting out San Francisco's first three exhibition games, also is healthy after dealing with back problems this summer and will start against the Cardinals.
It will be the first time San Francisco's front wall of Young, Franklin and right end Marques Douglas has played side-by-side in a game.
