National Football League

49ers starting safety Lewis misses practice

Published Oct. 1, 2010 7:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Starting San Francisco 49ers strong safety Michael Lewis did not attend Friday's walkthrough practice before the team traveled to Atlanta to play the Falcons on Sunday.

Coach Mike Singletary would only say that Lewis was absent for personal reasons. The coach wouldn't elaborate when asked by reporters. Singletary wasn't sure whether Lewis would rejoin the team for the game. Lewis has been relegated to a diminished role so far this season for the winless 49ers (0-3).

Rookie Taylor Mays, a second-round draft pick this year, will likely get more playing time after being used on special teams so far.

This is more drama for the Niners. Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer took a leave of absence from the team during training camp and was then traded and second-year running back Glen Coffee retired in August.