The 2013 installment of the San Francisco 49ers looked poised to go on another magical post-season run. That was until they lost their top pass-catcher in Michael Crabtree. The dynamic wideout suffered a torn Achilles tendon and has since undergone surgery to repair the injury.
Crabtree suffered the freak injury while running in motion to start his route. The misstep will cost the receiver close to six months in recovery time. “[He] said it felt like someone kicked him in the Achilles,” said Harbaugh on Crabtree’s slip-up.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh later spoke to the media about the status of his top receiving threat.
“[Crabtree’s] surgery was successful and we do not anticipate that it will be season ending for Michael. It’s a setback, but Michael’s young. He’s strong. With everything he’ll be positive approach to healing and we’ll anticipate great things.”
Luckily for Niner’s fans, Crabtree did not re-injure the same broken foot that hampered him early on in his career.
San Francisco now faces an uphill battle while trying to overcome the loss of their top offensive threat. Michael Crabtree had a breakout 2012 season, a season which saw him catch 85 passes for 1,105 yards and 9 TDs for the NFC Champs. Crabtree is also the team’s top vertical receiving threat, using his big body to shield defenders and record big yards after the catch.
Instead, breakout-QB Colin Kaepernick must now find a way to lead an offense that will feature off-season pickup Anquan Boldin, Mario Manningham, Vernon Davis, Kyle Williams, and fourth-round pick Quinton Patton from Louisiana Tech.
“You look at the young receivers on our team that will emerge, because they have to emerge,” said Harbaugh. “I’m excited to watch them compete for that spot.”
It is being rumored that Harbaugh would consider bringing back the veteran Randy Moss to lead his young corps of pass-catchers. Moss has been a non-factor since joining the 49ers back in 2011.
“Again, we’re decided for the young receiver we have,” Harbaugh commented on Moss’ return. “[We] really feel that somebody’s going to emerge because they have to. Competition will create that.”
Despite the major injury, Harbaugh is not ruling out Crabtree’s return this season and fans should not expect a major fall-off from an impressive 2012 campaign. In fact, after a rough few opening weeks, the strength of schedule in the Bay area really tapers off. Consecutive games against Arizona, Jacksonville, and Tennessee have got to ease the sting of losing Crabtree for an extended period of time.
If there is a positive takeaway, it is this. Denver Bronco’s Pro Bowl wideout Demaryius Thomas has come off of an equally devastating injury to put up staggering figures in the Mile High City. Though the Super Bowl notions have diminished, Crabtree might have the rest and recuperation just in time to help the team win meaningful games in January.
