No one needs to tell Marc Bulger that he’s having a bad season. He’s acutely aware of that and absorbs the criticism hurled his way without complaint and without making excuses. But here’s a fact:

After having ultra-reliable targets in Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt for so long, Bulger now is adjusting to a stable of young wide receivers who, not surprisingly, can’t always be counted on to run the correct routes and make the right adjustments. Holt’s role has diminished, and Bulger still is getting used to throwing to Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton and Derek Stanley. It takes time.

“When you work with two wide receivers for years and years and years, you get into a rhythm with them,” Bulger explained. “Not to take it for granted, because it’s hard work to keep doing that. I’m starting to develop good chemistry with the other guys; we just have to get better on game days.

“It’ll come. The young guys are learning, and I’m learning what they do and when they get out of breaks. I think we’ll benefit from these struggles right now.”

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Notes & quotes:

*RB Steven Jackson (thigh) could be reinserted into the lineup as early as Thursday. He took about half the snaps in practice Wednesday, and the Rams are hoping he can push through a full workout Thursday.

*Although he got a good report from Dr. James Andrews on his knee — no structural problems and no further surgery needed — CB Tye Hill is probably a week away from returning to practice.

*RB Travis Minor (concussion) is back, which should provide a boost for the special teams.

*Here are Bruce’s stats with the 49ers: 24 catches, a team-high 411 yards, 17.1-yards-per-catch average, four TDs.

*Former Rams signal-caller Jamie Martin is SF’s third QB.

All for now . . .