For an idea of how different the 49ers’ season looks this week, consider that Cody Wallace was engulfed by reporters Wednesday.

Coach Mike Singletary had just announced that the obscure backup center might play a series or two against the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Candlestick Park.
Without playoff hopes to talk about, this is considered breaking news.
Wallace wasn’t the only one with a surprising turn in the spotlight Wednesday. Much of the discussion focused on which young players would get a chance to take the field now that the 49ers have been eliminated from the playoff chase.
Here’s a look at who is in and who is out during the 49ers’ final two weeks:
QB Nate Davis: Out.
The fifth-rounder from Ball State will officially remain on the pine for his entire rookie season. The 49ers’ priority remains with developing their other young quarterback.
“It would be different if Alex Smith was a proven veteran player and had everything under control,” Singletary said, referring to his 25-year-old starter. “I want Alex to get all the playing time he can get. I want to see every drop of everything that he has. “& I want him to learn every lesson that he can possibly learn.”
This was the plan from the start. The 49ers wanted to give Davis at least a year to study behind the scenes.
Smith, meanwhile, is grateful for the chance to get every snap. He has just 41 games on his resume.
“No question, yes, I want to be out there,” Smith said. “It’s definitely what I want to hear.”
WR Isaac Bruce: Out.
Singletary said that Bruce will be shut down for the remainder of the season, meaning that the NFL’s second all-time leading receiver is almost certainly at the end of the line.
Bruce’s nagging ankle injury and the 49ers’ move toward younger receivers have combined to keep Bruce on the shelf since Nov. 22 against Green Bay.
There had been some speculation that Bruce might suit up for the season finale when the 49ers head to St. Louis, where Bruce had his greatest moments with the Rams.
Apparently, there will be no nostalgic farewell.
“Maybe some other people might want to see it, but I think Isaac knows who he is,” Singletary said. “A final hurrah and all that stuff, I don’t think it’s that big to him.”
If this indeed is the end, Bruce finishes with 15,208 receiving yards (second to Jerry Rice, 22,895) and 91 touchdown catches (ninth on the all-time list).
Cody Wallace: In.
The 49ers consider the former Texas A&M star a possible heir to Eric Heitmann at center. But he has yet to play since being a fourth-round pick in 2008. He has never even been on the game-day active roster.
Singletary will look for a way to get him into the game Sunday.
“Hopefully, the game allows an opportunity to see him a series or so,” the coach said. “I really do want to get a chance to see him and if he can do it or if he can’t.”
Wallace’s last game was with Texas A&M. During his final two seasons, he allowed only 4 › sacks and three pressures on 706 passing plays, according to the Aggies’ count. He was an All-Big 12 conference first team choice in 2008.
LB Scott McKillop, DE Ricky Jean-Francois: Out.
McKillop (a fifth-round pick) and Jean-Francois (seventh round) are not scheduled to take any snaps from scrimmage, Singletary said.
McKillop has been a special-teams standout, ranking first on the team with 27 special-teams tackles. He got a taste of regular action against Houston and Green Bay before ceding playing time to the more experienced Matt Wilhelm.
Jean-Francois was on the active roster only five times but never played. Unlike Wallace, McKillop and Jean-Francois need more time to learn behind the scenes.
“I think right now, Cody is the main focus. Of the younger guys, he really knows what he’s doing,” Singletary said. “He knows the system. It’s just a matter of having the opportunity.”
CB Nate Clements: Out.
Clements sustained a broken scapula on Nov. 1 and the original timetable pegged him with a late-season return. Without the playoffs on the line, Clements will rehabilitate with an eye toward 2010.
“We’re not going to get him back,” Singletary said. “We’ll just continue to stay on the plan that we’re on and let some of the younger guys that are getting a chance to play it out.”
With Clements out, defensive back Reggie Smith could get a chance to make an impression.