Michael Crabtree was viewed as fantasy football gold entering the 2014 season. The wide receiver was healthy and expected to be an impact player following a season filled with injuries in 2013. However, the wide receiver has been off the field more times than not, especially in Week 5 as the 49ers barely squeaked by the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, fantasy owners are scratching their heads wondering what the issue is.
In Week5, Crabtree was active on just 59.1 percent of the 49ers' offensive snaps. That is low considering he is supposed to be a top receiver for the team. What is the issue? According to SBNation.com, the wide receiver could be suffering from an injury that is far worse than San Francisco is letting on. Apparently, Crabtree is suffering from a foot injury in the same area that he had surgically repaired multiple times. That is causing his time on the field to be inconsistent. He was targeted just four times on Sunday and caught just one pass.
Right now, Crabtree's season is shaping up to be the worst in his career. The wide receiver has just 246 yards and two touchdowns to his name. The 49ers are experimenting with different offensive packages, but it seems like Crabtree is less involved no matter what the personnel package is. San Francisco appears to be favoring Stevie Johnson and Brandon Lloyd on the field more than Crabtree. Fantasy owners should take note. If the wide receiver appears again on the injury report, he could be in for another disappointing game in terms of points.
The absence of Crabtree is just another hit for the 49ers offense. The team continues to be without Vernon Davis who was inactive once again on Sunday. The tight end has been dealing with a back injury that is keeping him off the field. Vance McDonald got the start against the Chiefs as the team waits for the veteran to get healthy again.
Investing in any of the 49ers' receivers is a tough decision. Lloyd led the group Sunday, but only had three catches off five targets. No owner will be happy with that. Crabtree's absence on the field could only make things worse.