BRIEFLY: RUBIO PICKED UP AGAIN BY 49ers

Angel Rubio's whirlwind rookie season in the National Football League took another strange twist Thursday.

The former Southeast Missouri State University All-American nose tackle was signed by San Francisco -- marking his second stint with the 49ers.

Rubio, taken in the seventh round of the 1998 NFL draft by Pittsburgh, was traded to the 49ers during the preseason. He made San Francisco's opening-day roster but was waived after the second game.

Cincinnati signed Rubio last week -- but the Bengals waived him Wednesday. That led to his re-signing with the 49ers Thursday.