San Francisco 49ers receiver Michael Crabtree is expected to play next weekend against the St. Louis Rams. 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he "anticipates" Crabtree to make his long-awaited season debut after the receiver tore his Achilles tendon during the summer.
Crabtree tore his Achilles tendon in May and underwent surgery. The 49ers' top receiver began practicing with the team three weeks ago, and he's expected to be taken off the PUP list on Tuesday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
In addition to being activated for the team's 53-man roster, Harbaugh indicated Crabtree would be on the field on Sunday.
"Crabtree's coming back (this) week, and hopefully, we get a few other guys back," Harbaugh told reporters, via The Bee. "Because we need them all."
Pressed for clarification, Harbaugh answered: "I anticipate he's going to come back (this) week."
Crabtree would be a welcomed addition to quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who's noticeably struggled this season. Crabtree, a 2009 first round pick, can stretch the field and open up the middle for tight end Vernon Davis and receiver Anquan Boldin, providing Kaepernick another viable target.
Kaepernick showed chemistry last season with Crabtree, who became the quarterback's favorite target and finished the year with 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns.
Although Kaepernick played well on Monday against Washington's poor defense, he's completed 56.7 percent of his passes for just 2,037 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Kaepernick has another opportunity to shine on Wednesday against the Rams' secondary, which has given up 358.4 total yards per game.
San Francisco (7-4) is three games behind Seattle in the NFC West.
