SANTA CLARA, Calif. — What the 49ers had described as a foot strain for David Baas was more specifically a torn plantar fascia suffered early in training camp, the offensive lineman said Monday.

After returning to the practice field for the first time since being injured Aug. 4 during a nutcracker drill, the starting left guard disclosed the full nature of the injury.
Baas said the connective tissue in the arch of his foot tore “” a setback he called “really annoying.” It did not require surgery.
Baas participated in team drills Monday and hopes to play in the 49ers’ final exhibition Friday in San Diego. He said his foot feels better than it did before the tear and that he’s wearing special orthotics in his shoes.
“I’m just glad I don’t have to sit and stare at people anymore,” he said about returning to action.
Linebacker Patrick Willis (ankle) and cornerback hopeful Tarell Brown (foot) were also hurt in the nutcracker drill early in camp and sidelined for the first two exhibition games.
That makes three key contributors felled by a single drill.
Now, with the hard part of training camp over, Mike Singletary is dialing things back. As a nod to players who are weary or nicked up from a grueling first month, the coach is going light this week.
“Our guys really worked their tails off and really challenged themselves in terms of the workload that we had this offseason,” Singletary said. “This week, we’re just going to cut it back a bit, allow the guys to get their legs back — particularly the veteran guys.”
Takeo Spikes is glad the hard part is over. Though he said the 49ers are better for the grueling experience, he described this training camp as Junction Boys II — a reference to the brutal Bear Bryant camp in the summer of 1954.
Spikes also referenced the HBO training camp series “Hard Knocks.” “If HBO would have come out here this year, the ratings would have been off the chain,” Spikes said.
—Linebacker Ahmad Brooks had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone fragment from his left knee. Singletary originally described Brooks’ status as “day to day,” but a team spokesman clarified that Brooks would be sidelined two to three weeks.
That means Brooks, listed as the backup to Parys Haralson, is unlikely to play in the season opener.
—Safety Michael Lewis did not practice after suffering his second concussion of the month in Saturday’s game against Dallas. Singletary was asked if Lewis would undergo any kind of neurological tests.
“I don’t know about a neurological test, I just know that we’re monitoring anything that has anything to do with concussions, headaches or anything like that, migraines, whatever it might be,” he said. “We’re just making sure that we’re really wise about it and really taking care of our guys on it.”
—Mike Leach, who coached Michael Crabtree at Texas Tech, described the state of negotiations with the 49ers as “one of those messy NFL deals. It’s their cross to bear and I’m glad I’m not in the middle of it.”
Speaking on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area, Leach told host Greg Papa that the 49ers were “smart” to grab Crabtree in the draft and said the receiver was capable of making an immediate impact.
Leach said he has not spoken to Crabtree in months but hopes an agreement can be reached soon.
“Both (sides) are suffering right now,” Leach said. “At the end, everyone will have to evaluate whether the additional (money) received or not received is really worth it.”
—Quarterback Alex Smith (thumb) and right tackle Adam Snyder did some individual drills but did not participate in team drills.