NFL Lockout: 49ers WR Michael Crabtree Injures Foot in Player Workouts

Through three months of the current NFL lockout there have been zero major injuries during player organized workouts, which is a miracle.

The idea of getting together for advanced stretching, position drills and seven-on-seven seems like a great idea. Players are taking the initiative, they are staying in shape and they are holding each other accountable by showing up to work out together.

It's also a great way to keep tabs on guys who might be free agents once the lockout ends.

What wasn't factored in by the players, or perhaps they didn't care, was the risk of injury. That's something the 49ers Michael Crabtree has to be thinking about right now.

Crabtree, a former top-10 pick by the 49ers, injured his foot during player-only workouts and has been limping ever since.

Crabtree originally shook the injury off as "soreness" from a new pair of cleats he was breaking in on the first day of organized player workouts. But he's still hurt, so what's the deal?

Vernon Davis told the San Francisco Chronicle that the injury is more serious than soreness. He also said that Crabtree should be ready for training camp—but Davis is far from a doctor.

The issue remains that players working out without the umbrella of their union and that union's insurance are putting their careers on the line. And for what? So greedy owners can put a good product on the field next fall?

It's like the cow butchering himself to save the farmer time and make sure he doesn't lose money. Nowhere else in the world of business would employees fall on the proverbial sword for the owners.

Good luck, players. You're going to need it.