SANTA CLARA -- It should come as no surprise the 49ers' offense has taken some major steps backward after showing progress in a Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.


After all, the two central figures in the 49ers' hopes for improvement have played a combined three snaps in recent lackluster losses to Seattle and Baltimore.

Quarterback Alex Smith and tight end Vernon Davis showed signs of breaking out against the Steelers on Sept. 23. Davis caught four passes for 56 yards, and had another long gain nullified on a controversial ruling of an incomplete pass.

But Davis was sidelined with a knee injury late in the third quarter. On the third play of the next game, Smith sustained a separation to his throwing shoulder.

"The way I look at it, I thought we were making that progression from the Arizona game to St. Louis to the Pittsburgh game," Smith said Thursday. "That progression was coming. It hurt to miss those two games and kind of stop that progression.

"Now, we have to get back and make it happen."

Smith and Davis might get back when the 49ers return to action, Oct. 21 in the Meadowlands against the New York Giants.

Smith said his shoulder felt good after throwing Wednesday, his most extensive session since the Grade-III separation he sustained against the Seahawks.

"We're probably talking 90 percent, as far as trying to throw hard," Smith said. "I didn't come out of my shoes on any of them, but I was throwing hard."

He plans to throw more over the weekend, and again on Monday. Smith said he would like to make a decision on Wednesday whether he can play.

Davis has missed two games with a knee sprain. He is running at near full speed, and said he plans to return for practice on Wednesday, too.

"It's time for us to put the pieces of the puzzle together," Davis said.

Without Davis on the field, the 49ers have not showcased a threat in the passing game. The Baltimore Ravens devoted eight defenders to stop running back Frank Gore because Davis was not on the field, linebacker Ray Lewis said afterward.

Coach Mike Nolan said he plans to utilize wide receiver Ashley Lelie, beginning in the game against the Giants. Lelie is a speedy sixth-year receiver who has averaged 17.5 yards per reception in his career. He played just 10 offensive snaps in the first five games.

"The thing I like about Ashley is that he has produced in NFL games," Nolan said. "I was talking with (Ravens defensive coordinator) Rex Ryan the other day, he said, 'If you put Ashley in, we were going to double him.' If we can get that, it frees up some more running."

The Ravens did not double-team any of the other 49ers' receivers, including starters Darrell Jackson or Arnaz Battle. Bryan Gilmore, whom the 49ers re-signed five days before the game, was the No. 3 wideout ahead of Lelie.

"There were some things after this game I knew clear-cut we had to do better," Nolan said. "There wasn't a lot of gray area on some things."

The plan to incorporate Lelie into the offense comes at a price. Rookie Jason Hill, a third-round draft pick, was set to make his NFL debut in the game against the Steelers, but he sustained a hamstring strain three days before the game.

Hill is healthy again and able to play, but his status is murky. Lelie and Gilmore appear to be in line ahead of him, and the 49ers also brought in second-year player LeRon McCoy for competition.

EXTRA POINTS

Nolan introduced his former player, Ray Lewis, to 49ers rookie linebacker Patrick Willis in the parking lot after the game Sunday. Lewis gave Willis his cell phone number and told him to keep in touch.

"He was a cool guy, a down-to-earth guy," Willis said. "He gave me some words of wisdom. He told me to be my own person. People compared him with other great linebackers before his time, and he said all he could be was the next Ray Lewis. He said all I can be is the next Patrick Willis."

The 49ers had their final practice Thursday before the team was dismissed for the weekend. Veterans Bryant Young, Marques Douglas, Walt Harris, Larry Allen, Arnaz Battle and Darrell Jackson were held out of practice for the rest.

Tully Banta-Cain (ankle), Hannibal Navies (knee), safety Michael Lewis (Achilles), Keith Lewis (hamstring), Smith and Davis did not practice because of injuries. Keith Lewis' injury could keep him out of action against the Giants.

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.

com.