San Francisco 49ers re-sod field after one game at new Levi’s Stadium

The San Francisco 49ers worked to re-sod the field at new Levi’s Stadium on Thursday, a day after a public workout was cut short and moved to the regular practice fields because players were slipping.

San Francisco plays host to the San Diego Chargers at the $1.2-billion stadium in Santa Clara on Sunday at 1 p.m., and the team has said it expects to have the field ready in time. KTVU’s news chopper showed images of the sod replacement in some areas of the turf Thursday.

Coach Jim Harbaugh moved his team out of the stadium Wednesday about an hour into the practice.

“It’s a beautiful field for a first-year field,” veteran placekicker Phil Dawson said this week. “Those guys are working their brains out to get that thing ready.”

Dawson missed wide right on first-half field goal attempts from 55 and 44 yards in Sunday’s 34-0 loss to the Denver Broncos. He said there are always adjustments with new grass. The field looked dry in places and chunks of sod could be seen missing in places where it apparently didn’t root properly.

Manziel: I’m not ready

On one knee and far from the action, quarterback Johnny Manziel leaned on his orange helmet and watched.

This is his new position.

As Browns starter Brian Hoyer worked with Cleveland’s first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills Thursday, Manziel, for now relegated to the second string, observed from the side. He took mental notes as he waited for his turn.

This rookie has been no sensation. He’s not ready to start.

Meet Johnny Backup.

Failing to make any magic happen in his first two NFL preseason games and unable to close the gap enough to beat out Hoyer, Manziel will begin the season as Cleveland’s No. 2 quarterback, matching his uniform number. It’s not a major surprise given he’s had to learn a complex offense and he entered training camp behind Hoyer.

But Manziel’s inability to leap-frog Hoyer, a journeyman who has made four career starts and is coming off knee surgery, shows the jump from college to pros is gargantuan — even for Johnny Football.

“Obviously I didn’t want this to be the outcome,” Manziel said. “But at the same time, I didn’t necessarily feel I was ready, I felt like there were steps that I needed to take, and I need to take, to get better.”

Manziel has shown flashes, just not enough.

Still, the Browns have seen promise in him, and Manziel’s immense fan base now has members inside Cleveland’s locker room.

“We got arguably the best No. 2 in the NFL,” said wide receiver Nate Burleson. “I’m a Johnny Football fan. Not only was I a fan before he got here, but now he’s family because we play for the same team. I’ll always be in his corner.”

Eagles beat Steelers

Nick Foles threw for 179 yards and a touchdown to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a 31-21 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers running backs Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount both played one day after they were arrested for marijuana possession shortly before Pittsburgh traveled to Philadelphia.

Eagles All-Pro running back LeSean McCoy left the game with a right thumb injury after a 22-yard touchdown catch gave Philadelphia a 7-0 lead. X-rays on McCoy’s thumb were negative, but he didn’t return.

Etc.

The Dallas Cowboys said that linebacker DeVonte Holloman has a career-ending neck injury related to a spinal problem that kept him out almost half of his rookie season a year ago.

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The Kansas City Chiefs acquired safety Kelcie McCray from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for offensive guard Rishaw Johnson in a move that should bolster depth for both teams.

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Chiefs linebacker Joe Mays needs surgery on the wrist he injured last weekend at Carolina.