San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree suffered a torn Achilles tendon during organized team activities Tuesday and will soon undergo what could be season-ending surgery, a person informed of the injury told USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the 49ers haven't commented on the injury, which used to be an automatic season-ender but has since become one that can sometimes be rehabbed in a matter of months -- as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers did last year.
Both players tore the tendon in the spring and returned to the field after starting the year on the physically unable to perform list.
Crabtree will miss a minimum of six months which means 2013 will be something of a lost season for him. It's a huge blow to the 49ers passing game and especially Colin Kaepernick. Anquan Boldin, Mario Manningham, A.J. Jenkins and Kyle Williams figure to split up his snaps and targets. Rookie Quinton Patton may be in the mix as well. The 49ers could also rely on Vernon Davis more heavily, though that's no sure thing given his history of erratic targets.
Ravens news
