49ers Might Bench Garcia

Concerned about a lifeless passing game and plunging offensive productivity, the San Francisco 49ers are considering benching slumping quarterback Jeff Garcia in favor of Steve Stenstrom. A decision is expected by Wednesday.

“Believe me, I have not lost any confidence in Jeff Garcia,” Coach Steve Mariucci said. “But his production hasn’t been what we want it to be, nor what he wants it to be.

“He’s going through some growing pains as a first-year starter would. It’s predictable to be going through some ups and downs. We just need to decide if this is a good time to make a change.”

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Tests found that Cincinnati linebacker Canute Curtis sustained nothing more severe than a strained neck when he was injured in Sunday’s game against Seattle.

Curtis was taken off the field on a backboard in the third quarter of a 37-20 loss. He never lost sensation in his arms and legs, but doctors wanted to be cautious because he had hurt his neck.

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Washington left guard Keith Sims will miss three weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right knee.

Also Monday, defensive end Marco Coleman was hospitalized for an infection in his right knee, but the team hopes he can return to practice Thursday or Friday and play in next week’s game at Philadelphia.