The San Francisco 49ers got hit hard by the injury bug before the season even began. They lost two big playmakers in Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham, leaving them short-handed. Now that has all changed. Tuesday was the first day several players made their way back from the physically unable to perform list and were cleared to play.
Manningham is the biggest name the 49ers got back on Tuesday. Along with the wide receiver, Eric Wright, Quinton Dial and Tank Carradine were active in practice. The return of Manningham will be welcomed by Colin Kaepernick. While the wide receiver is downplaying the idea that he will be a starter right away, he plans on making an impact soon.
"I just got cleared yesterday, man," Manningham said, via the 49ers wedbsite. "I can't do a whole practice. I'm going to ease my way into it."
San Francisco would certainly like for him to ease his way back to the field quickly. They need serious help at the wide receiver position so the return of Manningham will be key for a run in the second half of the season. Manningham suffered torn knee ligaments back in Week 16 of the 2012 season and has been out ever since. He is taking his return slowly, making sure he has no setbacks.
"If I feel good I might play. I'm not putting a time limit on there, just taking it serious day-by-day," Manningham said. "I'm just doing what I've got to do to get back to 100 (percent)."
Last season, Manningham was the second-leading receiver on the team, putting up 449 yards off 42 catches. Through six weeks of the season, Anquan Boldin is leading the receiving charge with 421 yards. Other than Vernon Davis, the next best receiver is Kyle Williams with just 101 yards total. Manningham could help boost the numbers.
The wide receiver can now run routes, make cuts and get bursts of speed after undergoing rehab. However, the wide receiver noted that he learned more about the mental part of the game while he was injured. Manningham told reporters he knows the offense in and out now. He has developed a lot of patience and feels like he is a better veteran leader.
"Trying to stay right upstairs," Manningham said. "You can get caught up by not playing. I'm just trying to keep my attitude positive, that's it really. It's hard to be in meeting when you're not involved with it, but I'm trying to get back in synch with everything."
There is no timetable for Manningham's return. The team faces the Titans on Sunday and then the Jaguars in Week 8 before having a buy week. It is unrealistic for fantasy owners to add him right now, but the idea that he could be on the field in Week 8 is not crazy.