SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. -- With both Vernon Davis and Vance McDonald still hobbling around -- Davis' left ankle, McDonald's right knee -- might the San Francisco 49ers' tight end spotlight turn to a third-string, converted basketball player?

Derek Carrier, who played small forward at Beloit College in Wisconsin until his junior year despite averaging 8.3 points while starting 21 games for the Buccaneers, could be in line to start at tight end for the the Niners in Sunday’s road game against the Arizona Cardinals.

"I just try to focus on what I need to do individually to help the team the most," Carrier said Thursday. "That’s just go out there and execute and do my job."

He was rushed into service late in Sunday’s 28-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, two of his three catches coming after Davis and McDonald were hurt. For the game, Carrier had three receptions, the first of his career, for 41 yards, including a clutch 22-yard pickup.

"He plays fearless," said 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. "He goes out, he’s going to give you everything he has, and he’s willing to go and make a play. I think he showed that on Sunday."

If he has to show it again this Sunday in Arizona, the 49ers will be short-handed in terms of bodies and experience between Kaepernick and Carrier, but not confidence.

"It’s something that comes with time, comes with reps," Carrier said. "And that’s why I think the last game against Chicago was valuable for myself, getting that time with Kap to work.

"For me, I think it was a great learning experience being there at crunch time and being able to get some reps in there. Unfortunately we got the loss, but for me I thought it was a great learning experience."