QB Brett Favre has returned to the Vikings. Not that anybody is surprised. Honestly, who did not see this coming? We will all get a chance to see Favre this week when the Vikings take on the 49ers.

Michael Crabtree and Patrick Willis are the most notable scratches for the 49ers in Sunday’s preseason opener against the Colts.

The first week of preseason is drawing to a conclusion. Can you feel the excitement? We are that much closer to the start of fantasy football season. There are two games to keep track of while you gather the family for Summer Slam on Sunday.

This is obviously not on the level of ‘Favre Watch,’ but one of the other rites of training camp is the popular refrain, “This is the year Alex Smith puts it all together.”

Michael Crabtree has never looked better at training camp. Although in fairness, this is the first time that had has ever been to training camp. What with that holdout last year.

The 49ers are backing their man, QB Alex Smith. FS Dashon Goldson told NFL enthusiasts Thursday — during his NFL.com chat — that Smith has been on top of his game, and the team believes in him.

Jeff Garcia could make a return to the Eagles if the team is able to deal QB Michael Vick.

You know Donovan McNabb trade rumors have reached a fevered pitched when the celebrity gossip sites are making reports.

San Francisco veteran LB Takeo Spikes joined NFL.com for a live chat, offering his insights on a number of 49ers-related topics, including winning the NFC West next season, playing next to Patrick Willis, the future of Michael Crabtree and the team’s strategy in the first round of the upcoming draft.

The luck factor in fantasy football, especially during the postseason, is so frustrating!

The 49ers formally dropped their tampering case against the Jets regarding rookie WR Michael Crabtree, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

The jawing between Adewale Ogunleye and Vernon Davis before the game was no joke. I was right on the sidelines and at one point I thought they were gonna throw down. Cooler heads prevailed.

The 49ers don’t plan to dress veteran WR Isaac Bruce for Thursday night’s home game against the Bears, choosing to rest him instead, league sources told NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora.

Michael Crabtree started against the Texans, as the 49ers opened in a three-receiver set. The 49ers attempted to go to Crabtree on their first play from scrimmage, but Texans DE Mario Williams sacked QB Shaun Hill.

Ever the fan of expression through his favorite social networking site, Bengals WR Chad Ochocino was at it again on Twitter, instigating an exchange of trash-talking tweets with Bears QB Jay Cutler and DE Alex Brown ahead of Sunday’s matchup in Chicago — and the game is still five days away.