Isaac Bruce, who opened the season as the 49ers’ No. 1 receiver, can no longer even crack the active roster.

Coach Mike Singletary informed the future Hall of Famer that he will be inactive Sunday when the 49ers host the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“I had a good long talk with Isaac, and he was a champion about it,” Singletary said in announcing his decision after practice Thursday. “So going forward, this is the best thing for our team and gives us the best chance to win.”
Bruce, 37, has been slowed by an ankle injury. But even when healthy, he has not delivered the production he did a year ago, when he led the 49ers with 835 yards and seven receiving touchdowns.
Bruce has only two games this season with more than 50 receiving yards.
Singletary announced the move after a long conversation with the NFL’s second all-time leading receiver in terms of yards (15,208). Bruce also ranks fifth in career receptions (1,024) and ninth in career receiving touchdowns (91).
Sunday, he will be on the bench as the 49ers make way for Brandon Jones. Singletary said the team needs depth on special teams and he wants Jones’ versatility in the return game and kick coverage.
Offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said Jones will back up Michael Crabtree at the “X” receiver spot. Jason Hill will back up Josh Morgan as a “Z” and also play in three-receiver sets.
—Raye, in his first press session since a 30-24 loss to the Green Bay Packers, said the 49ers’ ability to move the ball in the second half had more to do with the game circumstances than a shift to the spread offense.
Asked about the 49ers’ success out of the shotgun, Raye noted that the 49ers trailed by scores of 23-3 and 30-10, leading the Green Bay defense to back off.
“I didn’t think the formation had a whole lot to do with it,” Raye said.
Despite the loss, Raye sounds increasingly enthusiastic about Alex Smith’s progress at quarterback. Smith threw three touchdown passes in a half for the second time in five games.
“He’s tough enough. He has escapability. He has those things,” Raye said. “It’s his confidence that we’re trying to expand.”
—Like the Packers, the Jaguars use a flexible 3-4 defense with plenty of surprises.
“Then you’re going to get different looks up front, so you definitely have to be sharp with the protection and the run game and where we’re going,” Smith said. “I think they’re similar to teams that we’ve played in the last few weeks.”
—Maurice Jones-Drew (De La Salle High) isn’t the only Jaguar with East Bay roots. Coach Jack Del Rio attended Hayward High, alma mater of the late Bill Walsh. Del Rio said he met the legendary coach a few times and heard his motivational speeches. Del Rio also noted that two of his first bosses, Dennis Green and Brian Billick, were from the Walsh coaching tree.
“A lot of what we do here organizationally is based on things Walsh did,” he said.
—If linebacker Takeo Spikes (hamstring) is unable to play, Matt Wilhelm will start for a second consecutive week.
—Singletary made it official in naming Dre’ Bly the starting left cornerback over Tarell Brown. The coach strongly hinted at the move a day earlier.
—Left guard David Baas (ankle) participated fully in practice and is expected to play Sunday.