The San Francisco 49ers announced Tuesday that wide receiver Michael Crabtree has been cleared to practice, only 5½ months after he tore his Achilles’ tendon, which was surgically repaired.
The team now has exactly three weeks to activate Crabtree from the disabled to the perform list or put him on injured reserve, which would end his 2013 season.
Last season, the wideout had a career high 85 receptions for 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns. His numbers grew after quarterback Colin Kaepernick won the starting job.
If Crabtree fully recovers, his return will be welcomed, although the team has been effective without him. The 49ers are currently ranked eighth in the NFL in passing, and have outscored their opponents by an average of 22.6 points in the last five games.
