San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree's 2013 season debut will have to wait at least one more week.
The 49ers did not activate Crabtree to the 53-man roster by Monday's 4 p.m. deadline, making him ineligible for "Monday Night Football" versus the Washington Redskins.
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Because Crabtree began practicing three weeks ago, the team will have to activate him from the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list by Tuesday for him to be eligible to play in the final five regular-season games.
Although Colin Kaepernick's offense ranks last in the NFL in passing yards, there's no guarantee that Crabtree's impending return will fix the problem. The wide receiver is just six months removed from surgery to repair a fully torn Achilles tendon.
According to CSN Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, the organization recently decided to "back off on" Crabtree's participation in practices.
If Crabtree can round into football shape by Christmas, Kaepernick will have his go-to receiver back for what is shaping up as a pivotal season finale at the Arizona Cardinals.
*The latest "Around the League Podcast" broke down Patriots-Broncos and every Week 12 game. *
