49ers backed off Michael Crabtree’s practice participation

Jan 12, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates with quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and center Jonathan Goodwin (59) after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter of the NFC divisional round playoff game at Candlestick Park. The 49ers defeated the Packers 45-31. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers will activate Michael Crabtree and place him on the 53-man roster in the immediate future, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be playing.

Some expected San Francisco may have activated Crabtree for their Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, simply to get him some game action. But after Crabtree was a limited practice participant last week, that idea was quickly squashed.

The 49ers hinted nothing was wrong with Crabtree, but CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco says the team decided to tap the breaks on Crabtree’s practice:

"After one week of practices leading up to the 49ers’ game against the Carolina Panthers, the organization decided to back off on Crabtree’s participation a week ago.The team wanted a more controlled environment in which Crabtree could continue to rehabilitate from surgery to repair the torn right Achilles tendon he sustained six months ago."

What that means exactly, is unknown. San Francisco shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Redskins on Monday night, so it’s possible the team may want to get Crabtree a dozen or so snaps just to get his feet wet. But if he’s still recovering and the Niners aren’t comfortable with him on the field, it may be another week or two before we see Crabtree on the field.

Home/NFL