FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 11/19/2009 9:15pm et

The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree (knee) practiced in full Thursday, Nov. 19, and he will play Week 11.

The Huddle Take: Crabtree has been impressive since working his way into the lineup for the 49ers after holding out to start the year. His knee injury does not seem to be serious enough to keep him off the field so fantasy owners should view the talented rookie as a decent No. 2 or No. 3 wideout. The 49ers passing game has improved and could be a factor during the second half of the season for fantasy teams looking to make a run at the championship.

Posted: 10/27/2009 1:54pm et

The Sacramento Bee reports San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree played in more snaps than any of the team's other wide receivers in Week 7. Head coach Mike Singletary said that nothing jumped out at him, that Crabtree performed the same as he had seen in practice. Still, Singletary said he enjoyed watching Crabtree. 'I just wanted to see it on film,' Singletary said. 'Just like you see a good movie - you want to see it again.'

The Huddle Take: There's no indication Crabtree will see any less action this week against the Colts. In fact, he may see more action since the 49ers will likely be throwing more than normal should they fall far behind Indianapolis. You could probably do worse than taking a flier on Crabtree this week if you have bye week receiver problems or bad matchups elsewhere on your roster.

Posted: 10/26/2009 12:27pm et

Matt Maiocco, of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, reports San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree was on the field for 89 percent of the team's offensive plays. The team had 54 snaps on offense, and Crabtree was on the field for 48 of them.

The Huddle Take: So much for easing Crabtree into the lineup—or for needing OTAs or training camp. The talented receiver had five catches for 56 yards in his NFL debut.

Posted: 10/23/2009 1:48pm et

The San Francisco Chronicle reports San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree is expected to be on the field for at least half of the team's offensive plays in Week 7.

The Huddle Take: Crabtree's been a trendy free agent pick this week, but unless you're strapped at the position because of byes, it would be advisable to keep him on your bench until you're certain he'll be productive.

Posted: 10/14/2009 11:06am et

ESPN.com reports NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is looking into claims by the San Francisco 49ers that the New York Jets tampered with the team's first-round draft pick, WR Michael Crabtree.

The Huddle Take: Just because the Niners signed Crabtree and the Jets traded for Braylon Edwards don't think the tampering chargers are going away. While it won't impact any players on either team, it may end up costing the Jets a low-level draft pick or a few thousand dollars.

Posted: 10/8/2009 11:31am et

John Crumpacker, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports 49ers head coach Mike Singletary said he hopes WR Michael Crabtree will be able to play after the team's Week 6 bye. Singletary said Crabtree will have a small role at first, but the team will find ways to get him on the field.

The Huddle Take: Keep in mind that Crabtree didn't participate in post-draft OTAs because of his injured foot and missed all of training camp because of his holdout. Plus, wide receiver is one of the more difficult positions to transition from college to the pros at because of the different routes. And then he'll need to get his timing down with Shaun Hill. It's overly optimistic to think he'll be able to accomplish all of that be the end of his rookie season, let alone the next two weeks; as such, expect Crabtree's first-year contributions to be limited.

Posted: 10/7/2009 10:15am et

Mike Sando, of ESPN.com, reports the San Francisco 49ers will likely request and receive a roster exemption allowing WR Michael Crabtree to practice with the team for a week or two before the team would activate him.

The Huddle Take: Crabtree missed all of OTAs while recovering from foot surgery, then skipped all of training camp while negotiating his contract. He'll need at least a week or two to get on the same page with the rest of the 49ers offense before the team can comfortably throw him into a game.

Posted: 10/7/2009 10:15am et

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the San Francisco 49ers have agreed with first-round pick WR Michael Crabtree on a six-year deal that he can void to five years if he meets undefined performance clauses.

The Huddle Take: Reports indicate the deal is essentially the same one the 49ers have been offering all along. Now Crabtree can begin the NFL acclimation process he missed out on during OTAs... and training camp... and the first month of the regular season.

Posted: 10/5/2009 5:40pm et

ESPNDallas.com reports San Francisco 49ers first-round draft choice WR Michael Crabtree was scheduled to travel to San Francisco Monday, Oct. 5, in order to re-open contract talks with the 49ers, according to sources. Eugene Parker, Crabtree's agent, is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The Huddle Take: Who knows when -- or if -- Crabtree will have any Fantasy impact this season. If he signs and you have some roster leeway, he could be worth a free agent pickup to stash away.

Posted: 10/5/2009 12:03pm et

Matthew Barrows, of the Sacramento Bee, reports Deion Sanders, of the NFL Network, said San Francisco 49ers WR Michael Crabtree may soon be signing with the team. During a segment on NFL Network called "Let's go Primetime," Sanders said, "Crabtree may be on his way. I'm just saying. I'm just saying."

The Huddle Take: Sanders does seem to have some inside knowledge through Crabtree's agent, so perhaps he's on to something. Or perhaps it's just wishful thinking on Deion's part, with the belief that if Crabtree signs with the 49ers the league will ease up on Sanders and his alleged role in the tampering accusations against the Jets.