Young to Start for 49ers After All

Two days after expressing concerns about allowing Steve Young to play so soon after his second concussion, Coach George Seifert has re-installed him as the 49ers’ starting quarterback.

Some unsolicited advice from broadcaster John Madden helped convince Seifert to start Young on Sunday at Washington ahead of Elvis Grbac.

Madden said earlier this week on his radio show that if the doctors cleared Young and Young felt well enough to play, then Young should start. “I said, ‘Gee, that kind of makes sense,’ ” Seifert said.

Young, who has missed all or parts of eight games because of injuries, said he’s sound physically and could have played last Sunday.

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Offensive tackle Ken Ruettgers of the Green Bay Packers announced his retirement, saying he hasn’t come back from painful injuries to his knees despite surgery. Ruettgers, 34, has been a Packer starter since 1985.