Not good news for 49ers fans...
Michael Crabtree tears Achilles during 49ers OTAs
By Dan Hanzus
Published: May 22, 2013 at 01:53 p.m.
Updated: May 22, 2013 at 02:30 p.m.
Michael Crabtree's 2013 season might be over before it began.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities on Tuesday, according to a person informed of the injury.
Crabtree soon will undergo surgery to repair the tendon. The surgery could be season-ending, though it's possible Crabtree could return at some point this season.
USA Today's Mike Garafolo was the first to report the news.
It's a brutal development for the 49ers, who watched Crabtree bloom into a Pro Bowl-level receiver in his fourth season. Crabtree set career highs in receptions (85), yards (1,105) and touchdowns (nine). His production took off after Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as the starting quarterback.
If there's a silver lining for the Niners, it's the progress that's been made in the treatment of this type of injury. An Achilles tear was once an instant season-ender, but that's changed in recent times.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers both tore the same tendon last spring and rejoined their respective teams after stays on the player unable to perform list.
That said, neither player was close to 100 percent when they got back on the field. Expect Crabtree to regain his pre-injury explosiveness over the next eight months is probably wishful thinking.
The Niners' acquisition of Anquan Boldin is especially huge now. With Crabtree down and Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams recovering from serious knee injuries, San Francisco doesn't have much depth at receiver. This would be an ideal time for 2012 first-round pick A.J. Jenkins to upgrade from spectator status.
Vernon Davis, meanwhile, may have just found some of those targets that alluded him a year ago.
By Dan Hanzus
Published: May 22, 2013 at 01:53 p.m.
Updated: May 22, 2013 at 02:30 p.m.
Michael Crabtree's 2013 season might be over before it began.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported that the San Francisco 49ers wide receiver suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities on Tuesday, according to a person informed of the injury.
Crabtree soon will undergo surgery to repair the tendon. The surgery could be season-ending, though it's possible Crabtree could return at some point this season.
USA Today's Mike Garafolo was the first to report the news.
It's a brutal development for the 49ers, who watched Crabtree bloom into a Pro Bowl-level receiver in his fourth season. Crabtree set career highs in receptions (85), yards (1,105) and touchdowns (nine). His production took off after Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith as the starting quarterback.
If there's a silver lining for the Niners, it's the progress that's been made in the treatment of this type of injury. An Achilles tear was once an instant season-ender, but that's changed in recent times.
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers both tore the same tendon last spring and rejoined their respective teams after stays on the player unable to perform list.
That said, neither player was close to 100 percent when they got back on the field. Expect Crabtree to regain his pre-injury explosiveness over the next eight months is probably wishful thinking.
The Niners' acquisition of Anquan Boldin is especially huge now. With Crabtree down and Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams recovering from serious knee injuries, San Francisco doesn't have much depth at receiver. This would be an ideal time for 2012 first-round pick A.J. Jenkins to upgrade from spectator status.
Vernon Davis, meanwhile, may have just found some of those targets that alluded him a year ago.
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