Michael Crabtree Injury: Updates on 49ers Star's Foot and Return

San Francisco 49ers star receiver Michael Crabtree left the team's Week 4 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles due to an apparent foot injury in the first quarter.   

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com provided details on the apparent injury:

Crabtree later returned to the game, via Maiocco:

After missing all but five games during 2013 due to a torn Achilles tendon, Crabtree was expected to have an improved season. But the setbacks continued prior to Week 1 with a calf injury.

In his last full season during 2012, Crabtree emerged as the team's top wideout with 85 receptions, 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns, all career highs.

Though he has shown the ability on the field, the injury concerns for Crabtree are beginning to become an issue. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes that the injuries make things complicated for the wideout:

Heading into the 2014 season, Crabtree was ready to break out for the 49ers offense. He spoke about his expectations before the year started, per Taylor Price of 49ers.com:

"

I’m definitely going to give the people what they want. Put it like this: I’ve been doing this, I’ve been the man on the field since middle school. It’s nothing new to me. I’m in my prime right now. I don’t really have time to be playing. I’m all business.

"

Unfortunately, those aspirations might have hit yet another speed bump. But if he's forced to miss any time, it likely won't spell disaster for the Niners.

USA TODAY Sports

While the Niners will lose their best receiver, they will still have the likes of Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis as targets. Without his clear No. 1 receiver, Colin Kaepernick will now have more on his shoulders.

The team also selected Carlos Hyde in the 2014 NFL draft, so he will be asked to step up alongside Frank Gore in the backfield. Without Crabtree in the passing game, more emphasis could be put on Kaepernick and the ground attack.

Equipped with a plethora of weapons, having Crabtree on the field dramatically helps San Francisco. A potential loss of Crabtree will hurt the Niners offense, but the 49ers will remain a contender. 

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