49ers WR Crabtree activated, Bethel-Thompson waived
San Francisco needed a boost at the wide receiver position — and a boost they are getting.
The 49ers activated Michael Crabtree from the Reserve/PUP List on Tuesday, which he had been on since August 27th after sustaining an Achilles tendon tear last spring, according to 49ers.com.
To make room on the roster, San Francisco waived third-string quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson – who was acquired in early October when the team dropped the then recently acquired John Skelton.
Crabtree led the 49ers with 85 receptions for 1105 yards with nine touchdown receptions in 2012.
San Francisco, which ranks 32nd in the NFL in passing yards (173.5 per game), also recently added Mario Manningham to the fold after his bout with a torn up knee.
With a corps of Anquan Boldin, Crabtree and Manningham and tight end Vernon Davis, quarterback Colin Kaepernick will have plenty of targets to help improve upon the lackluster passing game.
San Francisco recently saw their offense not reach the 200-yard mark in back-to-back contests against the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints. Kaepernick and the offense broke that streak on Monday at the expense of the Washington Redskins, gaining 304, including a 15-of-24 for 235 yards and three touchdown performance for the under-siege QB in their 27-6 victory.
The 49ers take on the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks in consecutive weeks, so having Crabtree back is certainly a nudge in the right direction as the NFC West division battles approach.