49ers RB Gore, WR Crabtree expected to play Sunday
Despite being slowed by ankle injuries last Sunday in their 19-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, both running back Frank Gore and wide receiver Michael Crabtree had an impact.
Gore rushed 17 times for 110 yards against Seattle, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the first time since October 13th in the 49ers’ 32-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals. His 51-yard run late in the 4th quarter helped set up San Francisco’s game-winning field goal.
Crabtree caught 4 passes for 40 yards. Not eye popping numbers, but any contribution from San Francisco’s 2012 leading receiver is welcome at this point.
According to the San Jose Mercury News’ Cam Inman, both are listed as probable for this week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and both are expected to suit up and play.
#49ers Frank Gore and Michael Crabtree listed as probable with ankle issues but count on both playing vs #Bucs
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) December 13, 2013
Crabtree was playing in just his second game of the season against Seattle after having to rehab a torn Achilles tendon for a majority of the year. According to ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson, the recent ankle injury “is unrelated to the Achilles tear”.
That news has to be a relief for a 49ers’ receiving corps that has been Anquan Boldin and not much of anything else for much of 2013 – not including All Pro tight end Vernon Davis, of course.
San Francisco sits at 9-4 on the season, two games behind Seattle in the NFC West and one game up on Arizona for the 6th and final playoff spot in the conference.