San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree will likely miss the 2013 season after suffering a torn Achilles on Tuesday during organized team activities.
Crabtree is coming off a career season in 2012 as he caught 85 passes for 1,105 yards, averaged 13 yards per reception, a long of 49 and a career high 172 yards receiving against the Arizona Cardinals. The loss of Crabtree means the 49ers do not have a no.1 receiver on the roster with the closest being 32-year old Anquan Boldin.
A free agent signing makes the most sense and a couple of options are: Brandon Lloyd, Randy Moss, Devin Aromashodu, Ramses Barden, or Laurent Robinson. If no moves get made here’s a look at the receivers on the roster besides Boldin. Chad Hall, Joe Hastings, Chuck Jacobs, A.J. Jenkins, Ricardo Lockette, Mario Manningham, Marlon Moore, Quinton Patton and Kyle Williams.
Manningham and Williams are coming off injuries and Jenkins the 49ers first-round pick in 2012 didn’t catch a single pass last season. Crabtree’s injury may become a blessing in disguise allowing for Colin Kaepernick to spread the football around more in the upcoming season.
Another option getting tight end Vernon Davis involved as he caught 41 passes last season or 2013 second-round pick Vance McDonald.
The 49ers also can dominate the line of scrimmage by running the football with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, LaMichael James and Kaepernick can make defenses pay with his ability to run. He proved that against the Green Bay Packers when he carried the ball 16 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
For many teams losing their no.1 receiver before the season begins is a huge loss. San Francisco fortunately isn’t one of those teams as there’s a number of different ways the 49ers can make up for the loss of Crabtree.
Update: A Tweet by Chris Mortensen has revealed that Crabtree has already had surgery.
According to a Tweet by Chris Mortensen he has already had surgery.
Update on Michael Crabtree. He already has undergone surgery on torn Achilles.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) May 22, 2013
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