49ers' Harbaugh has irregular heartbeat

Coach Jim Harbaugh of the 49ers was hospitalized yesterday for a "minor procedure" after doctors discovered an irregular heartbeat. The team said it anticipates Harbaugh will return to the team today, though it's unclear in what capacity. No details about the procedure were given.

Team spokesman Bob Lange said Harbaugh, 48, visited with doctors Wednesday night after feeling ill, and they advised him to have the procedure done at Stanford Hospital. Players were told of Harbaugh's hospitalization by assistant coach Brad Seely in the morning.

Later, there was some controversy created by Brandon Jacobs. The former Giants running back, slowed by a knee injury, has yet to play in his first season as a 49er. He posted advice on Twitter Thursday that mentioned never working "in a place where you hate your boss so much, you should always be happy at work" on #"YouLiveAndYouLearn."

Jacobs' timing was terrible, considering Harbaugh's medical problem.

In the locker room soon after his post, Jacobs said people shouldn't "assume" his remarks were football-related. He then sent more tweets -- including one saying "football is not my life, people" and another saying, "Have you ever been in a spot and you wonder why are you there."

Later, Jacobs posted that his tweets referred to his brother's boss.

Goodell: NFL better on concussions

In a speech at the Harvard School of Public Health, commissioner Roger Goodell said the NFL has improved the way it has handled hits to the head.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a concussion Sunday, and his status for Monday night's game against the 49ers is in question. Quarterbacks Alex Smith (49ers) and Michael Vick (Eagles) also suffered concussions last week. Smith and Cutler played briefly after being hurt.

Goodell said all three were taken out "as soon as they showed symptoms . . . Even a few years ago, I'm not sure you would have seen that."

Bills hand Dolphins third loss in row

Leodis McKelvin scored on a 79-yard punt return as the host Bills (4-6) ended a three-game losing streak by beating the Dolphins, 19-14, Thursday night. Bryan Scott's interception ended the final drive by Miami (4-6), which lost for the third consecutive game.