San Francisco 49ers won’t have Michael Crabtree
By Jason Marcum
The san Francisco 49ers are anxiously awaiting the return of Michael Crabtree, the team’s No. 1 receiver in 2012. Coming into today’s matchup vs the New Orleans Saints, he had not been ruled out as the 49ers coaching staff kept Crabtree’s availability a mystery this week. The fifth-year wideout, who suffered an Achilles tear in May, was cleared to practice on Nov. 5, but remains on the team’s Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Jim Harbaugh was asked about the possibility of the team activating Crabtree in time for Sunday’s road matchup in New Orleans, but San Francisco’s coach offered no specifics in his response.
"“We’ll see,” said Harbaugh, who later added, “We’ve been encouraged with his progress.”"
As it turns out, Crabtree will not make his 2013 NFL debut today:
Michael Crabtree will not play. TE Vernon Davis & S Eric Reid (concussions) passed impact tests. If they remain symptom-free, they'll play.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 17, 2013
Crabtree returned to practice on Friday after getting rest days on Wednesday and Thursday, so there’s a chance he’ll be ready for Week 12. The 49ers have until November 28 to activate him. The 49ers will have another injured receiver back from injury, as Mario Manningham, who made his season debut for the 49ers last week after returning from two torn knee ligaments, went through limited practice on Wednesday.
The 49ers passing offense has suffered greatly this season without it’s top weapons on the field, with quarterback Colin Kaepernick averaging just 157 yards passing per game since throwing for over 400 yards against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1.